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Golden Weedfish
Cristiceps aurantiacus Castelnau, 1879
Above and below: A Golden Weedfish at a depth of 24 m, North Bondi, Sydney, New South Wales, July 2005. Note that the first dorsal fin originates in front of the supraorbital tentacle. Photo © P. Hawley. View larger image.
Photo © P. Hawley. View larger image.
A Golden Weedfish found floating in the northern part of the lagoon, Lord Howe Island, New South Wales, by W. Young March 2003. Image G. © Kelly. View larger image.
The Golden Weedfish has a tall first dorsal fin that originates in front of both the eye and the supraorbital tentacle. The second dorsal fin has a long base. There is often a gap between the second last and third last dorsal fin rays.
The colouration of this species can vary from brown to yellow or orange, sometimes with touches of pink. Juveniles are paler and may have faint bars.
The Golden Weedfish grows to 18 cm in length.
It lives among kelp on rocky reefs.
This species is known from the southern coast of Queensland to Bass Strait and around the south-western coast of Western Australia.
View a map of the collecting localities of specimens in the Australian Museum Fish Collection.
Three species of Cristiceps are recorded from Australia. The Crested Weedfish has a lower first dorsal fin that originates over the eye (not in front of it) and behind the supraorbital tentacle. The Silver-sided Weedfish Cristiceps argyropleura has a triangular first dorsal fin that is attached to the second dorsal fin by a membrane.
Further Reading
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
- Springer, V.G. in Paxton, J.R. & W.N. Eschmeyer (Eds). 1994. Encyclopedia of Fishes. Sydney: New South Wales University Press; San Diego: Academic Press [1995]. Pp. 240.
