Home · Aulopidae · Sergeant baker
Sergeant baker (Latropiscis purpurissatus) — Aulopidae

Sergeant baker

Latropiscis purpurissatus
Family: Aulopidae
LC · Least Concern

The Sergeant baker (Latropiscis purpurissatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Aulopidae that grows up to 60 cm.

Length
60 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–100.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The sergeant baker is a bottom fish of the family Aulopidae from the temperate waters around southern Australia. The species grows to about 60 cm and has an elongate, reddish to brown mottled body with large eyes and a large mouth; males have conspicuously elongated front dorsal-fin rays. It is a temperate, benthic species of rocky reefs and soft bottoms on the continental shelf. As an ambush predator it often sits motionless on the bottom and seizes small fishes and crustaceans. The sergeant baker is a valued angling fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sergeant baker?

The Sergeant baker has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly red-orange and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Sergeant baker live?

The Sergeant baker lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Sergeant baker get?

The Sergeant baker grows to a maximum of about 60 cm.

Is the Sergeant baker dangerous to humans?

No, the Sergeant baker is harmless to humans.

Is the Sergeant baker edible?

Yes, the Sergeant baker is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sergeant-baker sourced
English name
Sergeant baker verified
Scientific name
Latropiscis purpurissatus
Family
Aulopidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
60.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Aulopidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →