HomeFish encyclopediaRay-finned fishesScorpionfishes and FlatheadsGurnard scorpionfishesCapricorn gurnard perch Capricorn gurnard perch (Neosebastes capricornis) Scientific name: Neosebastes capricornis Motomura, 2004 The Capricorn gurnard perch (Neosebastes capricornis) is a marine fish of the family Neosebastidae. Native range: Western Pacific, Off southern New Caledonia. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 5; Vertebrae: 26. Diagnosis: The underside of mandible with numerous tiny pores, no ridges. Preocular spine simple, sharp, conical, and well-developed. Supraocular spines occurring anterior and posterior to vertical midline of eye. There are no additional spines between lacrimal and suborbital ridges. Upper opercular spine simple, tip pointed. Most of the head spines are strongly developed and erect. The midinterorbital space not covered with scales. Pored lateral line scales 32; longitudinal scale 53. Posterior margin of maxilla not reaching a vertical at posterior margin of pupil. Pectoral fin short (3.1 in SL), its posterior tip not reaching a vertical at origin of last dorsal-fin spine. Interorbital width narrow (8.0 in HL); head and upper-jaw lengths long (2.0 in SL and 2.4 in HL, respectively); body depth deep (2.6 in SL). Bilobed portion of swimbladder more than hSource: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameNeosebastes capricornisFamilyNeosebastidae (Gurnard scorpionfishes)OrderScorpaeniformes (Scorpionfishes and Flatheads)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length15.6Depth range330 m (1083 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; depth range 330 - 330 mClimateSubtropicalDistributionWestern Pacific: Off southern New Caledonia.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026