Common Name: Southern Pygmy Leatherjacket

Distribution: Uncommon in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Endemic to Australia it is found from southern Western Australia, around the temperate south of the continent to northern New South Wales, including Tasmania.

Ecological Notes: Frequents areas of seagrasses and kelp, in estuaries and sheltered bays. Depth to at least 70 m.

Additional Notes: Roughly circular shaped body, variable in colour from yellow to bright or dark green with small spots. It has an inflatable abdomen capable of producing moderate to large ventral flap. Although not a fast swimmer it is very manoeuvrable and with its ability to change colour is often hard to see. When resting often grips a strand of algae with its teeth. Grows to 10 cm but usually smaller at 4 to 6 cm.

References: Fishes of Australia’s Southern Coasts, edited by Martin Gomon, Diane Bray and Rudie Kuiter. Reed New Holland, Publishers, 2008. p.827.

FishBase. Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2018. World Wide Web electronic publication. http://fishbase.ca/summary/Brachaluteres-jacksonianus.html. Accessed 28/04/18.