Bullrout

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Bullrout
NotesthesRobustaFrankOlsen.jpg
Illustration of a Bullrout, Notesthes robusta, for Grant (1965) Guide to Fishes, p.229
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Scorpaeniformes
Family: Scorpaenidae
Subfamily: Tetraroginae
Genus: Notesthes
J. D. Ogilby, 1903
Species:
N. robusta
Binomial name
Notesthes robusta
(Günther, 1860)
Synonyms [2]
  • Centropogon robustusGünther, 1860

The bullrout (Notesthes robusta), [3] [2] also commonly called freshwater stonefish or kroki, is a pale yellowish to dark-brown coloured fish that lives in tidal estuaries and slow-flowing streams in eastern Australia, from Southern New South Wales to northern Queensland, Australia. [4] It has on a very infrequent occurrence been caught at sea. Its spines are venomous. It is the only member of the genus Notesthes. It is often confused with the true stonefish.

Contents

Taxonomy and etymology

The bullrout was first formally described in 1860 as Centropogon robustus by the German-born British herpetologist and ichthyologist Albert Günther with its type locality given as New South Wales. [5] The genus Notesthes was described in 1903 by the Australian ichthyologist James Douglas Ogilby as a monotypic genus for the bullrout. [6] This taxon is included in the subfamily Tetraroginae within the Scorpaenidae in the 5th edition of Fishes of the World [7] however other authorities place that subfamily within the stonefish family Synanceiidae, [5] while other authorities classify this subfamily as a family in its own right. [2]

The genus name Netesthes combines notos, which means back, and esthes, meaning "a garment", an allusion to the completely scaled back of this taxon. The specific name robusta means "stout" or "full-bodies", an allusion Günther did not explain but which may be due to its more robust body shape when compared to what was thought to be the closely related Eastern fortescue (Centropogon australis). [8]

Description

The bullrout is big headed with bony ridges, [9] a large mouth and a lower jaw which protrudes beyond the upper jaw. There are 7 spines on the operculum. [10] There are 15 robust spines in the dorsal fin [11] and this part of dorsal fin is slightly concave towards the rear with the rearmost soft ray in the dorsal fin being attached to the caudal peduncle by a membrane. The head has no scales but the body is clothed in small scales. [10] The overall colour is pale yellowish to dark brown broken by dark reddish-brown to greyish or black irregular mottling which can coalesce to create irregular bands. [11] The maximum recorded standard length is 30 cm (12 in), although a standard length of 20 cm (7.9 in) is more typical. [2]

North Haven NSW Notesthes robusta.jpg
North Haven NSW

Distribution and habitat

The bullrout is endemic to eastern Australia where it occurs from north of Cooktown, Queensland south to Pambula, southern New South Wales. This fish lives in the lower freshwater stretches of rivers and streams, as well as in bays and estuaries. It is typically encountered within aquatic vegetation or woody debris in still or slow flowing freshwaters where there are rocky, muddy or gravel substrates. [11]

Biology

The bullrout is a rather sedentary species in which individuals spend most of the time lying in wait on the bottom or among weeds for prey to pass, [2] it is an ambush predator feeding on fishes and small crustaceans. They are known to migrate downstream in rivers during periods of heavy rainfall. [11] They breed in freshwater and juveniles have been recorded from the upper reaches of rivers, upstream from barriers. [2]

Danger to humans and first aid

The dorsal, anal, and pelvic spines on a bullrout all contain venom glands. Stings from this animal are reportedly extremely painful [10] but non-lethal. the pain may be treated by applying heat, which denatures the proteins in the venom. Local anesthetics and analgesics are also reported to be effective. [12] There is some evidence that morphine may not be effective in treating the pain from these stings. [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Synanceiinae</span> Family of fishes

Synanceiinae is a subfamily of venomous ray-finned fishes, waspfishes, which is classified as part of the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives. These fishes are found in the Indo-Pacific oceans. They are primarily marine, though some species are known to live in fresh or brackish waters. The various species of this family are known informally as stonefish, stinger, stingfish and ghouls. Its species are known to have the most potent neurotoxins of all the fish venoms, secreted from glands at the base of their needle-like dorsal fin spines. The vernacular name, stonefish, for some of these fishes derives from their behaviour of camouflaging as rocks. The type species of the family is the reef stonefish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leaf goblinfish</span> Species of fish

The leaf goblinfish is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a waspfish belonging to the subfamily Tetraroginae, which is classified as part of the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives. This is the only species in the monotypic genus Neovespicula. It is found in coastal habitats of the Indo-West Pacific region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tetraroginae</span> Subfamily of fishes

Tetraroginae is a subfamily of marine ray-finned fishes, commonly known as waspfishes or sailback scorpionfishes, belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives. These fishes are native to the Indian Ocean and the West Pacific. As their name suggests, waspfishes are often venomous; having poison glands on their spines. They are bottom-dwelling fish, living at depths to 300 metres (980 ft). These creatures usually live in hiding places on the sea bottom.

<i>Synanceia</i> Genus of venomous fishes

Synanceia is a genus of ray-finned fish belonging to the subfamily Synanceiinae, the stonefish, which is classified within the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfish and relatives. Stonefish are the most venomous fish known; stings can be fatal to humans. They are found in the coastal regions of the Indo-Pacific. They are sometimes confused with the freshwater lionfish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smoothskin scorpionfish</span> Species of fish

The smoothskin scorpionfish is a species of ray-finned fish, a waspfish belonging to the subfamily Tetraroginae of the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives. It is the only species in the monotypic genus Coccotropsis. This species is endemic to the seas off South Africa.

<i>Centropogon</i> (fish) Genus of fishes

Centropogon is a genus of ray-finned fishes, waspfishes belonging to the subfamily Tetraroginae, which is classified as part of the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives. These fishes are endemic to the brackish and marine waters around Australia.

The visitor, also known as the sandpaper velvetfish,is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a velvetfish belonging to the family Aploactinidae. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Adventor. This species is found the Pacific Ocean waters along the coasts of Papua New Guinea and Australia.

The threefin velvetfish is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a velvetfish belonging to the family Aploactinidae. This species is found the western Pacific Ocean where it has been found on reefs. This species grows to a length of 5 centimetres (2.0 in) TL. This species is the only known member of its genus.

<i>Xenaploactis</i> Genus of fishes

Xenaploactis is a genus of marine ray-finned fish, velvetfishes belonging to the family Aploactinidae. This genus is found in the western Pacific Ocean and the eastern Indian Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackfin stonefish</span> Genus of fishes

The blackfin stonefish is a species of venomous ray-finned fish, a stonefish be longing to the subfamily Synanceiinae of the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives. It is the only species in the monotypic genus. It is native to the western Indian Ocean where it occurs in areas with muddy bottoms. This species grows to a total length of 13 centimetres (5.1 in).

<i>Ablabys</i> Genus of fishes

Ablabys is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes, waspfishes belonging to the subfamily Tetraroginae, which is classified as part of the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives. The fishes in this genus are found in the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marbled stingfish</span> Genus of fishes

The marbled spinefish, also known as the yellow waspfish, is a species of ray-finned fish, a waspfish belonging to the subfamily Tetraroginae of the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives. It is the only species in the monotypic genus Cottapistus. This species is found in the Indo-West Pacific.

<i>Glyptauchen</i> Species of waspfish endemic to the reefs off the southern coast of Australia

Glyptauchen is a monotypic genus of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the subfamily Tetraroginae, the waspfishes. The only species in the genus is the goblinfish, also known as the saddlehead or saddlehead goblinfish which is endemic to the southern coasts of Australia. The goblinfish has venomous spines in its fins.

Liocranium is a small genus of marine ray-finned fishes, waspfishes belonging to the subfamily Tetraroginae, which is classified as part of the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives. The fishes in this genus are found in the eastern Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean.

Neocentropogon is a poorly known genus of marine ray-finned fishes, waspfishes belonging to the subfamily Tetraroginae, which is classified as part of the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives. The fishes in this genus are native to the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean.

<i>Paracentropogon</i> Genus of fishes

Paracentropogon is a genus of ray-finned fishes, waspfishes belonging to the subfamily Tetraroginae, which is classified as part of the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives, These fish are found in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean.

<i>Richardsonichthys</i> Species of fish

Richardsonichthys, is a monotypic genus of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the subfamily Tetraroginae, the waspfishes, which is classified as part of the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives. The only species in the genus is the whiteface waspfish, also known as the whitebelly roguefish, rouge fish, Torres Strait soldier fish or Richardson's waspfish. This species is native to reefs of the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean.

<i>Snyderina</i> Genus of fishes

Snyderina is a genus of ray-finned fishes, waspfishes belonging to the subfamily Tetraroginae, which is classified as part of the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives. These fishes are found in the western Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean.

<i>Tetraroge</i> Genus of fishes

Tetraroge is a genus of ray-finned fishes, waspfishes belonging to the subfamily Tetraroginae, which is classified as part of the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives. These fishes are native to the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern fortescue</span> Species of fish

The Eastern fortescue, also known as the fortesque, Southern fortescue, fortie or Southern bullrout, is a species of ray-finned fish, a waspfish belonging to the subfamily Tetraroginae of the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives. It is found the coastal waters of eastern Australia.

References

  1. ↑ Gilligan, D. & Scott, K. (2019). "Notesthes robusta". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T122906085A123382266. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T122906085A123382266.en . Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2022). "Notesthes robusta" in FishBase. February 2022 version.
  3. ↑ "ITIS Standard Report Page: Notesthes robusta". Itis.gov. Retrieved 2013-08-16.
  4. ↑ Archived December 21, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  5. 1 2 Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Notesthes". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  6. ↑ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Genera in the family Tetraroginae". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  7. ↑ J. S. Nelson; T. C. Grande; M. V. H. Wilson (2016). Fishes of the World (5th ed.). Wiley. pp. 468–475. ISBN   978-1-118-34233-6. Archived from the original on 2019-04-08. Retrieved 2022-03-25.
  8. ↑ Christopher Scharpf & Kenneth J. Lazara, eds. (10 March 2022). "Order Perciformes (Part 10): Suborder Scorpaenoidei: Families Apistidae, Tetrarogidae, Synanceiidae, Aploacrinidae, Perryenidae, Eschmeyeridae, Pataceidae, Gnathanacanthidae, Congiopodidae and Zanclorhynchidae". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  9. ↑ "Bullrout". Queensland Museum. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  10. 1 2 3 Mark McGrouther (27 January 2021). "Bullrout, Notesthes robusta (Günther, 1860)". Australian Museum. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Gomon, M.F.; Thompson, V.J. & Bray, D.J. (2019). "Notesthes robusta". Fishes of Australia. Museums Victoria. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  12. ↑ Joan M. O'Connor; Scott T. Hahn (2001). "An epidemiological study of bullrout (Notesthes robusta) envenomation on the north coast of NSW". Australasian Emergency Nursing Journal. 4 (1): 16–18. doi:10.1016/S1328-2743(01)80015-8.
  13. ↑ Michael Patkin; David Freeman (1969). "Bullrout stings". The Medical Journal of Australia. 2. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
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