Pataecus fronto Richardson, 1844

Common Name & Body Shape

Pataecus fronto, commonly called the Red Indian fish, has an elongated, highly compressed body that is deepest near the head. It has a wedge shape, with the narrowest point at the caudal peduncle.

Head Features

Its relatively small eyes sit high on the head, and it has an oblique mouth with tiny teeth on the jaws. The upper section of the operculum has two low diagonal ridges, and the head has no spines.

Skin Characteristics

Its skin is smooth and lacks scales.

Dorsal Fin Base & Spines

The long dorsal fin begins on the head, in front of the eyes, and starts with a short spine. The longest spines of the dorsal fin are towards the front, and they decrease in size closer to the tail.

Fin Ray Counts

The dorsal fin holds between 22 and 25 spines and 14 to 17 soft rays; the anal fin holds between 9 and 11 spines and 4 to 7 soft rays.

Caudal & Pectoral Fins

The dorsal fin connects to the rounded caudal fin. The large pectoral fins are positioned low on the body, and this species has no pelvic fins.

Maximum Size

It reaches a maximum total length of 35 cm (14 in).

Base Body Color

Its base body color can be scarlet, brick red, or orange.

Color Patterns

Infrequently, individuals are pale, or have black spots, white spots, or both, most often on the dorsal portion of the body.

Endemic Range

The Red Indian fish is endemic to the waters off southern Australia.

East Coast Distribution

On the east coast, its range extends from Maroochydore in southern Queensland to Barragga Bay in southern New South Wales.

Southern & Western Coast Distribution

On the southern and western coasts, its range extends from Gulf St Vincent in South Australia to Shark Bay in Western Australia.

Demersal Habitat Preference

This is a demersal fish that is only infrequently recorded in South Australia, which suggests it may prefer deeper reefs in this area.

Habitat & Depth Range

It lives among sponge communities on coastal reefs and in estuaries, at depths down to 80 m (260 ft).

New South Wales Shallow Occurrence

In New South Wales, scuba divers often encounter this species at shallow depths.

Inlet Position Preference

It is mostly found inside bays or harbours, and is almost always only found on the northern side of the inlet.

Microhabitat Position

When encountered, it is typically found on the northern side of rocks or sponges. It is rarely seen on the southern side of inlets or even rocks.

Juvenile Life History Knowledge Gap

Very little is known about the life of the Red Indian fish from birth until it reaches nearly adult size. Few, if any, photographs exist of very small specimens.