Dusky morwong (Dactylophora nigricans)

Scientific name: Dactylophora nigricans Richardson, 1850

Dusky morwong (Dactylophora nigricans)

The Dusky morwong (Dactylophora nigricans) is a marine fish of the family Cheilodactylidae. Native range: Eastern Indian Ocean, southern Australia, from southern Western Australia to New South Wales and Tasmania.

Biology

Found in seagrass beds and near rocky outcrops. Feeds on polychaetes, isopods, amphipods and brown algae. Flesh of smaller fish is excellent eating, but its quality deteriorates with age.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Dactylophora nigricans
Family
Cheilodactylidae (Morwongs)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
120
Depth range
60 m (197 ft)
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range ? - 60 m
Climate
Temperate
Distribution
Eastern Indian Ocean: southern Australia, from southern Western Australia to New South Wales and Tasmania.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
Resilience
Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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