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Splendid perch (Callanthias allporti) — Callanthiidae

Splendid perch

Callanthias allporti
Family: Callanthiidae

The Splendid perch (Callanthias allporti) is a saltwater fish of the family Callanthiidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–100.0 m
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand

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Description

The splendid perch is a colourful perch-like fish (Callanthiidae) from deeper coastal waters of southern Australia and New Zealand. The species grows to about 30 cm and has an elongate, pink to orange-yellow body with a forked tail bearing elongate lobes. As a bottom-oriented fish it hovers above rocky reefs of the deeper coastal zone and picks zooplankton and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Splendid perch?

The Splendid perch has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Splendid perch live?

The Splendid perch lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, New Zealand

How big does the Splendid perch get?

The Splendid perch grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Splendid perch dangerous to humans?

No, the Splendid perch is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Splendid perch (Callanthias allporti) — Callanthiidae — 2
B. Hutchins, Western Australian Museum (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Splendid perch (Callanthias allporti) — Callanthiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) peterlanglands, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Splendid perch (Callanthias allporti) — Callanthiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Malcolm Francis, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Splendid perch (Callanthias allporti) — Callanthiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Malcolm Francis, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Splendid perch sourced
Scientific name
Callanthias allporti
Family
Callanthiidae
Other names
Rosy perch; Splendid perch; Splendid sea perch; Allport's perch verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Callanthias

More from the family Callanthiidae

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