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Cobbler perch (Neosebastes scorpaenoides) — Neosebastidae

Cobbler perch

Neosebastes scorpaenoides
Family: Neosebastidae

The Cobbler perch (Neosebastes scorpaenoides) is a saltwater fish of the family Neosebastidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–140.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The common gurnard perch is a scorpionfish of the family Neosebastidae from the temperate waters around southern Australia. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a stocky, reddish to brown body with a large, spiny head and skin flaps. It is a bottom dweller of the continental shelf and occurs on rocky reefs of coastal waters. As an ambush predator it lies motionless in wait and seizes small fishes and crustaceans. The dorsal, head and gill-cover spines are venomous and give a painful puncture wound; therefore handle a caught specimen with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cobbler perch?

The Cobbler perch has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Cobbler perch live?

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

How big does the Cobbler perch get?

The Cobbler perch grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Cobbler perch dangerous to humans?

The Cobbler perch is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

Is the Cobbler perch edible?

The Cobbler perch is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gewone korbaars sourced
English name
Cobbler perch verified
Scientific name
Neosebastes scorpaenoides
Family
Neosebastidae
Other names
Common gurnard perch; Coral perch; Red-spotted gurnard perch; Ruddy gurnard perch; Smooth gurnard perch verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
140.0 verified
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
Rarely 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
Venomous / poisonous sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Neosebastes

More from the family Neosebastidae

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