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Banded morwong (Cheilodactylus spectabilis) — Cheilodactylidae

Banded morwong

Cheilodactylus spectabilis

The Banded morwong (Cheilodactylus spectabilis) is a fish of the family Cheilodactylidae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The banded morwong is a morwong (Cheilodactylidae) from the waters around southeastern Australia and New Zealand. The species is robust and has a red-brown body with broad, dark crossbars and strongly elongated lower pectoral fin rays. It lives on rocky coastal reefs, where it probes the bottom with its pectoral fin rays. It feeds on small bottom invertebrates such as crustaceans, worms and molluscs. The species can reach a great age. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded morwong?

The Banded morwong is mainly red-orange and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Banded morwong live?

The Banded morwong is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Banded morwong get?

The Banded morwong grows to a maximum of about 100 cm. On average the species is around 60 cm.

Is the Banded morwong dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded morwong is harmless to humans.

Is the Banded morwong edible?

Yes, the Banded morwong is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bandkop-morwong sourced
English name
Banded morwong sourced
Scientific name
Cheilodactylus spectabilis
Family
Cheilodactylidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
100.0 verified
Average length (cm)
60.0 sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Cheilodactylus

More from the family Cheilodactylidae

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