HomeFish encyclopediaRay-finned fishesScorpionfishes and FlatheadsGurnard scorpionfishesJohnson's gurnard perch Johnson's gurnard perch (Neosebastes johnsoni) Scientific name: Neosebastes johnsoni Motomura, 2004 The Johnson's gurnard perch (Neosebastes johnsoni) is a marine fish of the family Neosebastidae. Native range: Western Pacific, Off northeastern coast of Queensland, Australia. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 5. Diagnosis: Underside of mandible with numerous tiny pores, no ridges. Preocular spine usually divided into 2 points, and flattened anteriorly and posteriorly. There are no additional spines between lacrimal and suborbital ridges. Upper opercular spine usually simple. Midinterorbital space usually covered with scales. Pored lateral-line scales 30-35 (mode 32); longitudinal scale rows 49-57 (52). Pectoral-fin rays 20-22 (21); pectoral fin long (2.6-3.0, mean 2.8 in SL), reaching or extending beyond a vertical at origin of last dorsal-fin spine. Posterior margin of maxilla not reaching a vertical at posterior margin of pupil. Interorbital width wide (5.5-7.1, 6.4 in HL). Bilobed portion of swimbladder approximately equal to half of total swim bladder length. There are numerous distinct small black spots on lateral line and posterior part of eye (spots absent in juveniles lesSource: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameNeosebastes johnsoniFamilyNeosebastidae (Gurnard scorpionfishes)OrderScorpaeniformes (Scorpionfishes and Flatheads)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length17.0Depth range138–270 m (453–886 ft)EnvironmentMarine; demersal; depth range 138 - 270 mClimateTropicalDistributionWestern Pacific: Off northeastern coast of Queensland, Australia.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmless SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026