Common Name: Red Indianfish
Distribution: Uncommon in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Endemic to Australia. Generally southern waters from southern Queensland through eastern Victoria and from Exmouth in Western Australia south to around Ceduna in South Australia.
Ecological Notes: Frequents coastal reefs and rocky estuaries, especially in sponge areas. Depths from 20 – 80 m.
Additional Notes: Colour variable brown to orange red, very tall dorsal fin originates above steep forehead and extends to caudal fin, pectoral fin large. Skin smooth. Diet consists of shrimps and other crustaceans. The outer layer of skin is shed regularly to rid itself of algae or other growths. Grows to 25 cm.
References: Kuiter, R. H., Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Published by Crawford House Press Pty. Ltd., 1993. p.106.
Atlas of Living Australia website at https://bie.ala.org.au/search?q=pataceus+fronto. Accessed 30/06/18.
FishBase. Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2018. World Wide Web electronic publication. https://fishbase.ca/summary/Pataecus-fronto.html. Accessed 30/06/18.