Leatherjackets - Family Monacanthidae
 

Introduced Species

Other Fish sites:

Conger Eel

Red rock cod

Pipefish, Seahorse, Seadragon

Gurnard

Flathead

Barber Perch

Cardinal fish, Gobbleguts

Marble Fish /Stinky Groper

Jackass Morwong

Bastard Trumpeter 

Stripey Trumpeter

Blue Throat Wrasse

Purple Wrasse

Rock Whiting

Stargazer

Greenback Flounder

Leatherjacket

Cowfish

Porcupine (Globe) Fish

 

 

 



There are four types of leatherjackets usually kept at the Marine Discovery Centre. These are the Bridled Leatherjacket, Toothbrush Leatherjacket, Pygmy Leatherjacket and Brown-striped Leatherjacket, all described below. Leatherjackets have a long defensive spine on top of the head. They eat practically anything, and therefore are usually kept in a tank with no other animals and fish.
  • Kingdom Animalia
  • Phylum Chordata
  • Class Osteichthyes - Bony Fish
  • Family Monacanthidae - Leatherjackets
  • Acanthaluteres spilomelanurus - Bridled Leatherjacket
    •

    Acanthaluteres spilomelanurus - Bridled Leatherjacket
    (Grant, 1987)
    Habitat: Sheltered seagrass, reef; 0 - 10 m depth
    Distribution: WA to NSW and around Tasmania
    Maximum Size: Length to 140 mm
    Diet: Small invertebrates
    Comments:
    Bridled leatherjackets are regularly caught by us in seine nets and dredges. They have beautiful blue and black colourings that can be seen in the right light.

     

  • Family Monacanthidae

  • Acanthaluteres vittiger - Toothbrush Leatherjacket

    •

    Acanthaluteres vittiger - Toothbrush Leatherjacket (female)
    (Edgar, 1997)
    Habitat: Reef, seagrass; 0 - 40 m depth
    Distribution: WA to NSW and around Tasmania
    Maximum Size: Length to 320 mm
    Diet: Small Invertebrates
    Comments:
    These fish have a characteristic set of bristles on each side of the body, towards the rear. 

     

  • Family Monacanthidae

  • Brachaluteres jacksonianus - Pygmy Leatherjacket

    •
    Brachaluteres jacksonianus - Pygmy Leatherjacket
    (Edgar, 1997)
    Habitat: Sheltered reef, seagrass; 0 - 25 m depth
    Distribution: WA to Qld and around Tasmania
    Maximum Size: Length to 90 mm
    Diet: Small Invertebrates
    Comments:
    These fish are small and round. They often sleep at night attached to seaweed fronds using their mouths.

  • Family Monacanthidae

  • Meuschenia australis - Brown-striped Leatherjacket, Southern Leatherjacket

    •

    Meuschenia australis - Brown-striped Leatherjacket (male)
    (Grant, 1987)
    Habitat: Moderately exposed reef; 0 - 20 m depth
    Distribution: SA to Victoria and around Tasmania
    Maximum Size: Length to 320 mm
    Diet: Small Invertebrates
    Comments:
    These fish common in Tasmania, less so on the mainland. The female is duller in colour than the male (as usual in fish!), with the male having irridescent blue stripes and dots lining the body.