Ablabys taenianotus (Cuvier, 1829)

Size

Ablabys taenianotus is a fish that reaches a maximum length of 6 inches, or 15 cm.

Body Shape

Its body is laterally compressed, and it has a dorsal fin that runs from the top of the head almost to the upper base of the caudal fin.

Dorsal Fin Appearance

When spread, this dorsal fin forms a crest that resembles a cockatoo's crest.

Dorsal Fin Venom

The spines of its dorsal fin contain venom.

Locomotion

This fish stays primarily on the seabed, and it moves using its pectoral fins.

Coloration

Its color ranges from cream to dark brown, marked with irregular spots.

Distribution Range

This species is found in the tropical West Pacific Ocean, ranging from Malaysia to Japan and from Indonesia to Australia.

Depth Range

It lives at depths between 2 and 60 feet, or 0.6 to 18.2 meters.

Habitat

It can be found on sandy, silty, or rubble bottoms, and also in meadows of Zosteraceae seagrass.