Harlequin fish

Last updated

Harlequin fish
Othos dentex Harlequin fish PC260004.JPG
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Serranidae
Genus: Othos
Castelnau, 1875
Species:
O. dentex
Binomial name
Othos dentex
(Cuvier, 1828)
Synonyms [1]
  • Plectropoma dentexCuvier, 1828
  • Plectropoma richardsonii Günther, 1862
  • Othos cephalotes Castelnau, 1875

The harlequin fish (Othos dentex) is a species of marine ray-finned fish in the subfamily Anthiinae, part of the family Serranidae, the groupers and sea basses. It is the only member of the genus Othos. It is also known commonly as the Chinese lantern, harlequin cod, harlequin rock cod and tiger cod.. [2] This species is found in the Eastern Indian Ocean and is endemic to Australian waters, in subtropical areas typically rocky reefs. . [3]

Contents

Description

The harlequin fish is one of the largest serranids in the Western and Southern Australian water, is a diurnal forager that has a long life-cycle, and has a small home range and strong site fidelity. [4] [5] It is likely to be harmed by localized anthropogenic changes [6] and by recreational fishing, though their fishing along the coast is low. [4]

Anatomy

Physical appearance

Harlequin fish vary greatly in size but reach a maximum length of 75 cm-86 cm and weight of 6 kg. it has a heterogeneous color pattern that varies from individual to individual, which blends with the colors and surrounding coralline algea and encrusting sponges in the reef, providing a camouflage for them. [4] The color variation, between individuals, is due to the large blotches which range from yellow to green [7] that are located posterior to the pectoral fin on the lower half of the body. [4] While all individuals have longitudinal blue flecks on the dorsal surface of the body, as males become mature these flecks become more prominent, and their spots change from yellow to green and finally, once they reach full maturity, to blue. [4]

During spawning season, the color of blotches in males intensify, peaking at intensity during the midpoint of the season, which plays a role in courtship. [4] This color change also suggests a change in their androgen levels. [8] [9] O. dentex has independently movable eyes that protrude on top of its head, [10] and a large sized mouth.

Mouth and dentition

The anterior upper jaw of O. dentex contain two pairs of closely apposed big, recurved and pointed canines. Numerous, inwardly directed, very small pointed teeth extend backwards, in rows and declining in size, from the large canines on the margins of both sides of the upper jaw. Two large recurved and elongated canines sit anteriorly in the lower jaw, on either side, and three teeth, similar in shape, are further back. Their gill rakers have backwards-pointing spines. [6]

Life cycle

Harlequin fish can live up 42 years, [11] and can grow a maximum length of 75 cm. [3] [12] In the otoliths of O. dentex, a single opaque zone forms annually, and age of the individual can be determined by the number of these zones. [4] Considering their long life at the young age of 4-5, both the females and males, grow rapidly, [4] with the males showing slight change in color as they reach maturity. Before maturing, the early juveniles are thought to be residing in the crannies and deeper in the caves, which would protect them against predatory piscivorous fish species that exist nearby. [13] As the juvenile individuals approach their mature size, they start moving around the reef. Typically, the male individuals are solitary, and come together with females during spawning season. [4]

Sexual reproduction

The harlequin fish is gonochoristic, it has indeterminate fecundity. This species also exhibits batch spawning which corresponds with the individuals being widely dispersed and scarce. [14] [6] It's unknown whether juveniles present bisexuality early in life, but if bisexuality is present, it's assumed that, some time before the individual reaches maturity, it disappears early in gonadal development. [4] Unlike other gonochoristic members of Serranidae, O. dentex have small testes, which implies low sperm competition. [15] [16] The spawning season for O. dentex is through September to March, and it peaks during the period between November and January. [4] Indeterminate fecundity over the long life span as well as its long-lasting spawning period play a key role in egg and larval survival. These factors guarantee that of the numerous eggs that were produced during the spawning season majority of them will be released at a time that's favorable for the egg and larval. [17]

Ecology

Distribution and habitat

The harlequin fish is native to the temperate waters, and is found over the shallow rocky reefs and in caves located in the cool coast of South-Western Australian waters. [4] [9] It's believed that this reef-dwelling species has an important place in the ecology of its environment since it is a top predator, and is relatively common in the area. [6]

Diet

The harlequin fish is a demersal piscivore, and feeds during daylight. Its mature individuals feed exclusively on fish, and their prey, which is selected for on the basis of their size rather than species, and include species of teleosts, like the Labridae and the Pempheridae. [10] Because juveniles would be unable to ingest prey as large as fishes, its assumed that they feed on other species besides teleosts. [6] It feeds intermittently and its dietary composition lacks seasonality. When this diurnally active species is looking for food, it usually will lie over hard structures and wait for a prey, and when the prey is within range it will dart forward to attack its prey. [10] Its physical appearance as well as the anatomy of its protruding eyes help with its foraging success. [18] [19]

Related Research Articles

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

The Serranidae are a large family of fishes belonging to the order Perciformes. The family contains about 450 species in 65 genera, including the sea basses and the groupers. Although many species are small, in some cases less than 10 cm (3.9 in), the giant grouper is one of the largest bony fishes in the world, growing to 2.7 m in length and 400 kg (880 lb) in weight. Representatives of this group live in tropical and subtropical seas worldwide.

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

Groupers are fish of any of a number of genera in the subfamily Epinephelinae of the family Serranidae, in the order Perciformes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crown-of-thorns starfish</span> Species of starfish

The crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster planci, is a large starfish that preys upon hard, or stony, coral polyps (Scleractinia). The crown-of-thorns starfish receives its name from venomous thorn-like spines that cover its upper surface, resembling the biblical crown of thorns. It is one of the largest starfish in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giant grouper</span> Species of fish

The giant grouper, also known as the Queensland grouper, brindle grouper or mottled-brown sea bass, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution and is one of the largest extant species of bony fish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">California sheephead</span> Species of fish

The California sheephead is a species of wrasse native to the eastern Pacific Ocean. Its range is from Monterey Bay, California, to the Gulf of California, Mexico. It can live for up to 20 years in favorable conditions and can reach a size of up to 91 cm (3 ft) and a weight of 16 kg (35 lb). It is carnivorous, living in rocky reef and kelp bed habitats, feeding primarily on sea urchins, molluscs, and crustaceans.

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

The Sillaginidae, commonly known as the smelt-whitings, whitings, sillaginids, sand borers and sand-smelts, are a family of benthic coastal marine fish in the order Perciformes. The smelt-whitings inhabit a wide region covering much of the Indo-Pacific, from the west coast of Africa east to Japan and south to Australia. The family comprises only five genera and 35 species, of which a number are dubious, with the last major revision of the family in 1992 unable to confirm the validity of a number of species. They are elongated, slightly compressed fish, often light brown to silver in colour, with a variety of markings and patterns on their upper bodies. The Sillaginidae are not related to a number of fishes commonly called 'whiting' in the Northern Hemisphere, including the fish originally called whiting, Merlangius merlangus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giant trevally</span> Species of fish

The giant trevally, also known as the lowly trevally, barrier trevally, ronin jack, giant kingfish or ulua, is a species of large marine fish classified in the jack family, Carangidae. The giant trevally is distributed throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region, with a range stretching from South Africa in the west to Hawaii in the east, including Japan in the north and Australia in the south. Two were documented in the eastern tropical Pacific in the 2010s, but it remains to be seen if the species will become established there.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King George whiting</span> Species of fish

The King George whiting, also known as the spotted whiting or spotted sillago, is a coastal marine fish of the smelt-whitings family Sillaginidae. The King George whiting is endemic to Australia, inhabiting the south coast of the country from Jurien Bay, Western Australia to Botany Bay, New South Wales in the east. The King George whiting is the only member of the genus Sillaginodes and the largest member of the smelt-whiting family Sillaginidae, growing to a length of 80 cm and 4.8 kg in weight. The species is readily distinguishable from other Australian whitings by its unique pattern of spots, as well as its highly elongate shape. King George whiting are often found in bays and protected waterways over sand and seagrass beds, also venturing out onto deep continental shelf reefs during adulthood. The species is a benthic carnivore, consuming a variety of crustaceans, polychaete worms, molluscs and fish. The King George whiting forms the basis of one of southern Australia's most important commercial fisheries, reportedly worth over five million Australian dollars per year. The species is also heavily targeted by recreational anglers, who value the whiting for its sporting and eating qualities.

<i>Epinephelus andersoni</i> Species of fish

Epinephelus andersoni, the catface grouper, brown-spotted grouper, catface rockcod or brown spotted rockcod, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is found in the southwestern Indian Ocean where it is associated with reefs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orange-spotted grouper</span> Species of fish

The orange-spotted grouper, also known as the brown-spotted rockcod, estuary cod, estuary rockcod, goldspotted rockcod, greasy cod, North-west groper, orange spotted cod or blue-and-yellow grouper, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It has an Indo-Pacific distribution and is found in marine and brackish waters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camouflage grouper</span> Species of fish

The camouflage grouper, also known as the blue-tailed cod, camouflage rockcod, small-toothed rockcod, smooth flowery rock-cod, snout-spot grouper or snout-spot rock-cod, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution where it is associated with reefs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gulf grouper</span> Species of fish

The Gulf grouper is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is endemic to Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leopard coral grouper</span> Species of fish

The leopard coral grouper, also known as the common coral trout, leopard coral trout, blue-dotted coral grouper or spotted coral grouper, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is found in the Western Pacific Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western trumpeter whiting</span> Species of fish

The western trumpeter whiting, Sillago burrus, is a species of marine fish of the smelt whiting family Sillaginidae that is commonly found along the northern coast of Australia and in southern Indonesia and New Guinea. As its name suggests, it is closely related to and resembles the trumpeter whiting which inhabits the east coast of Australia and is distinguishable by swim bladder morphology alone. The species inhabits a variety of sandy, silty and muddy substrates in depths from 0 to 15 m deep, with older fish inhabiting deeper waters. Western trumpeter whiting are benthic carnivores which take predominantly crustaceans and polychaetes as prey. The species reaches sexual maturity at the end of its first year of age, spawning in batches between December and February The species is taken as bycatch with other species of whiting and shrimps in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Potato grouper</span> Species of fish

The potato grouper, also called the potato cod or potato bass, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greater amberjack</span> Species of fish

The greater amberjack, also known as the allied kingfish, great amberfish, greater yellowtail, jenny lind, Sea donkey, purplish amberjack, reef donkey, rock salmon, sailors choice, yellowtail, and yellow trevally, is a species of predatory ray-finned fish in the family Carangidae, the jacks and pompanos. It is found in temperate, subtropical, and tropical seas around the world. It is a popular quarry species for recreational fisheries and is important in commercial fisheries. It is the largest species in the family Carangidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western school whiting</span> Species of fish

The western school whiting, also known as the banded whiting, golden whiting and bastard whiting, is a species of benthic marine fish in the smelt-whiting family Sillaginidae. The species is one of three 'school whiting' that inhabit southern Australia and share a very similar appearance. Western school whiting are known to grow to 30 cm in length and 275 g in weight, although unconfirmed reports suggest this might be an underestimate. The western school whiting is distributed along the Western Australian coast from Maud Landing in the north to Rottnest Island in the south. The species inhabits both shallow inshore environments and waters to depths of 55 m. The species is a benthic predator, taking a variety of crustaceans, molluscs and echinoderms, and shows a change in diet with age and habitat. S. vittata is a multiple spawner, reproducing between December and February once it has reached one or two years of age. Juveniles inhabit protected inshore waters, moving offshore once they reach sexual maturity. It is often found in association with other sillaginids and comprises a minor fraction of commercial whiting catches in Western Australia.

<i>Cephalopholis argus</i> Species of fish

Cephalopholis argus, the peacock hind, roi, bluespotted grouper, and celestial grouper, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a member of the subfamily Epinephelinae, the groupers, and part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. They come from the Indo-Pacific which is variously a commercial gamefish, an invasive species, and occasionally an aquarium resident. Its species name comes from its resemblance to the "hundred staring eyes" of the monster Argus in Greek mythology.

<i>Plectropomus laevis</i> Species of fish

Plectropomus laevis, known commonly as the black-saddled coral grouper, cluespotted coral trout, blacksaddled coral trout, blue-spot trout, Chinese footballer, footballer cod, footballer coral trout, oceanic coral trout or tiger trout, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is found in the Indo-Pacific region.

<i>Hypoplectrus guttavarius</i> Species of fish

The shy hamlets are small Western Atlantic serranids of the genus Hypoplectrus, which belong to the subclass perciformes in the class Actinopterygii. To this date, seventeen species of the genus have been recognized, a third of which have been discovered in the past few years.

References

  1. ↑ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2019). "Othos dentex" in FishBase. December 2019 version.
  2. ↑ Othos dentax in ITIS
  3. 1 2 Fishbase.se
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 French, B., Potter, I. C., Hesp, S. A., Coulson, P. G. and Hall, N. G. (2014), Biology of the harlequin fish Othos dentex (Serranidae), with particular emphasis on sexual pattern and other reproductive characteristics. J Fish Biol, 84: 106-132
  5. ↑ Bryars, S. & Rogers, P. J. (2016). Movements in the harlequin fish (Othos dentex), a large predatory serranid from southern Australia: implications for detection and protection. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 50, 600–618
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 French, B., Platell, M. E., Clarke, K. R. and Potter, I. C. (2017), Optimization of foraging and diet by the piscivorous Othos dentex (Serranidae). J Fish Biol, 90: 1823–1841.
  7. ↑ Gomon, M. F., Glover, J. C. M. & Kuiter, R. H. (2008). Fishes of Australia’s South Coast. Sydney: Reed New Holland
  8. ↑ Kodric-Brown, A. (1998). Sexual dichromatism and temporary color changes in the reproduction of fishes. American Zoologist 38, 70–81.
  9. 1 2 Mank, J. E. (2007). The evolution of sexually traits and antagonistic androgen expression in actinopterygian fishes. American Naturalist 169, 143–149
  10. 1 2 3 Bryars, S. & Shepherd, S. A. (2013). Ambush predators and night stalkers. Harlequin fish Othos dentex (Family Serranidae). In Ecology of Australian Temperate Reefs (Shepherd, S. & Edgar, G., eds), pp. 399–400. Collingwood: CSIRO Publishing
  11. ↑ Saunders, R. J., Bryars, S. R. & Fowler, A. J. (2010). Preliminary consideration of the biology of several of South Australia’s marine fish species that have conservation or management interest. Report to the Department of Environment and Heritage. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2009/000693-1. SARDI Research Report Series No. 426
  12. ↑ Dianne J. Bray, 2011, Harlequin Fish, Othos dentex, in Fishes of Australia, retrieved Mar. 12, 2015, http://www.fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/species/4383
  13. ↑ Platell, M. E., Hesp, S. A., Cossington, S. M., Lek, E., Moore, S. E. & Potter, I. C. (2010). Influence of selected factors on the dietary compositions of three targeted and co-occurring temperate species of reef fishes: implications for food partitioning. Journal of Fish Biology 76, 1255–1276.
  14. ↑ Hunter, J. R., Lo, N. C. H. & Leong, R. J. H. (1985). Batch fecundity in multiple spawning fishes. In An Egg Production Method for Estimating Spawning Biomass of Pelagic Fish: Application to the Northern Anchovy, Engraulis mordax (Lasker, R. ed.), pp.66–78. NOAA NMFS Technical Report 36.
  15. ↑ Erisman, B. E., Craig, M. T. & Hastings, P. A. (2009). A phylogenetic test of the size advantage model: evolutionary changes in mating behaviour influence the loss of sex change in a fish lineage. American Naturalist 174, 83–99.
  16. ↑ Molloy, P. P., Goodwin, N. B., Cˆot´e, I. M., Reynolds, J. D. & Gage, M. J. G. (2007). Sperm competition and sex change a comparative analysis across fishes. Evolution 61, 640–652.
  17. ↑ McEvoy, L. A. & McEvoy, J. (1992). Multiple spawning in several commercial fish species and its consequences for fisheries management, cultivation and experimentation. Journal of Fish Biology 41, 125–136.
  18. ↑ Gerking, S. D. (1994). Feeding Ecology of Fish. London: Academic Press.
  19. ↑ Gibran, F. Z. (2007). Activity, habitat use, feeding behaviour and diet of four sympatric species of Serranidae (Actinopterygii: Perciformes) in southeastern Brazil. Neotropical Ichthyology 5, 387–398.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.