Red moki

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Red moki
Red Moki (Cheilodactylus spectabilis).jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Cheilodactylidae
Genus: Cheilodactylus
Species:
C. spectabilis
Binomial name
Cheilodactylus spectabilis
Synonyms [1]
  • Chirodactylus spectabilis(Hutton, 1872)
  • Goniistius spectabilis(Hutton, 1872)
  • Chilodactylus allporti Günther, 1872
  • Cheilodactylus allportiGünther, 1872
  • Chilodactylus asper Klunzinger, 1872
  • Cheilodactylus asperKlunzinger, 1872
  • Cheilodactylus rubrofasciatus Castelnau, 1878

The red moki (Cheilodactylus spectabilis) also known as the banded morwong, brown-banded morwong, carp or nanua is a species of marine ray-finned fish, traditionally regarded as belonging to the family Cheilodactylidae, commonly referred to as morwongs. It is found off southern Australia and the North Island of New Zealand

Contents

Taxonomy

The red moki was first formally described in 1872 by Frederick Wollaston Hutton with the type locality given as the Cook Straits in New Zealand. [2] Although traditionally included in the genus Cheilodactylus in family Cheilodactylidae, based on genetic and morphological analyses it belongs in the genus Chirodactylus in family Latridae. [3] [2] The specific name spectabilis means "notable" or "showy", a reference to the obvious bands on this fish. [4]

Description

The red moki is a distinctively marked fish which has a body with an overall silvery to light brown colour [5] with a white on the underside of the head and body. [6] There are 7-8 uniformly spaced, wide, rufous to nearly black bands along the flanks, the first 3 or 4 are angled towards the head, the remaining bands are vertical. The fins have blackish margins, [5] with reddish bases. [7] Rare individuals are plain reddish brown without any banding or with the band being indistinct. The mouth has thick, fleshy lips. [8] The lower pectoral fin rays are relatively short compared to other morwongs. [9] The maximum total length recorded for this species is 100 cm (39 in). [1]

Distribution and habitat

The red moki is restricted to the southwestern Pacific Ocean in Australia and New Zealand. In Australia, where it is more commonly known as the banded morwong, it occurs from Seal Rocks, New South Wales, to Kangaroo Island in South Australia, it is also found around Tasmania and the islands of the Bass Strait. It may occurs as far west in South Australia as the Point Drummond on the western coast of the Eyre Peninsula. [5] In New Zealand it is found from the Three Kings Islands to Foveaux Strait. [8] It reaches its maximum abundance around Tasmania [7] and off the northern part of New Zealand's North Island. [8] This species is found around coastal reefs in shallow waters, especially in areas which are exposed to wave surges, for example reefs lying off exposed rocky headlands. They can be common where there is kelp and other seaweeds and close to caves, crevices and overhangs. The adults inhabit deeper waters than the juveniles. [7] They can be found at depths between 1 and 50 m (3 ft 3 in and 164 ft 1 in). [1]

Biology

The red moki is carnivorous and it feeds on a variety of benthic invertebrates, such as gastropods, bivalves, crustaceans, polychaetes and small sea urchins. The predation on very small sea urchins by red mokis may play a role in controlling the urchin numbers and in preventing the creation of urchin barrens. [5] It is a long lived species and slow growing species with a longevity of up to 90 years old. [6] The banded morwang is highly territorial with complex spawning behaviour and low fecundity. the recruitment of new fish into the population shows wide annual variation. [7]

Utilisation

Fisheries

The red moki is targeted by commercial and recreational fisheries using large mesh gillnets in Tasmania. They are also caught to be sold on the Tasmanian live fish trade in Tasmania and Victoria. They are taken as bycatch in the pots used to catch rock lobsters and these fisher may keep the catch to use as bait. They form a minor proportion of the bycatch in scalefish and shark fisheries managed by the Australian Government. They are also taken regularly by spear fishers across its range, bit it is less frequently landed by recreational rod and line fishermen. [7]

Since 1995 the stocks of banded morwong off Tasmania have been sampled in order to get information on their biology> This is to be used to inform assessments on the stock. Since the sampling programme began there has been a significant reduction in the size of the fish and a simplification of the age structures of the population. For example, despite the potential long life span, fish which are older than 15 years are now comparatively rare compared to the data from the late 1990s. This may mean that the stock’s ability to replenish itself is reduced as an individual has fewer spawning seasons it is able to take part in. It has also been found that younger fish apparently grow more quickly than when the programme started and the females seem to be reaching sexual maturity at smaller sizes and at far younger ages than previously. This early maturity could also be a limiting factor on the population’s capacity for growth because larger, older females usually have a higher fecundity with young that have higher survival than females breeding at younger ages. In 2016 and 2017 the assessment did not indicate that the stock was subjected to overfishing it did suggest that if the management is not further restricted the stock would continue to deplete as the catch would eventually outweigh recruitment. [10]

Human consumption

Red moki has firm, flaky flesh which is said to have a medium flavour, it is also said that it can be dry. Cooking methods which retain any moisture should be used such as poaching or baking in foil. [6]

Related Research Articles

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

Cheilodactylidae, commonly called morwongs but also known as butterfish, fingerfins, jackassfish, sea carp, snappers, and moki, is a family of marine ray-finned fish. They are found in subtropical oceans in the Southern Hemisphere. The common name "morwong" is also used as a name for several unrelated fish found in Australian waters, such as the painted sweetlips. The classification of the species within the Cheilodactylidae and the related Latridae is unclear.

Morwong is a common name used for a variety of fishes and may refer to:

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

The porae, the grey morwong, blue morwong, butterfish, Douglas' morwong, Eastern blue morwong, great perch, queen snapper, rubberlip morwong or silver morwong, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, traditionally regarded as belonging to the family Cheilodactylidae, the members of which are commonly known as morwongs. found around south eastern Australia and the north eastern coast of the North Island of New Zealand at depths of about 10 to 100 metres, on sandy and rocky coasts.

<i>Nemadactylus macropterus</i> Species of fish

Nemadactylus macropterus, the tarakihi, jackass morwong or deep sea perch, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, traditionally regarded as belonging to the family Cheilodactylidae, the members of which are commonly known as morwongs. It is found in the south western Pacific Ocean, in Australia and New Zealand. Although there are records from the southern Indian Ocean and southwestern Atlantic, these may be due to misidentifications of similar species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue moki</span> Species of fish from the southwestern Pacific

Blue moki is a species of marine ray finned fish belonging to the family Latridae, the trumpeters. It is native to the southwestern Pacific Ocean around New Zealand and occasionally off southeastern Australia at depths of 10 metres (33 ft) and greater. Juveniles inhabit inshore waters, preferring rocky reefs while adults mostly occur in offshore waters forming schools over open bottoms. Some solitary adults can be found on reefs. This species can reach a length of 80 centimetres (31 in) FL, though most do not exceed 63 centimetres (25 in) TL. This species is commercially important and is also popular as a game fish.

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

Latridae commonly called trumpeters, is a family of marine ray-finned fish. They are found in temperate seas in the Southern Hemisphere. The classification of the species within the Latridae and the related Cheilodactylidae is unclear.They are fished commercially and for sport.

<i>Latridopsis forsteri</i> Species of fish

Latridopsis forsteri, the bastard trumpeter, copper moki, red bastard trumpeter, red, white and silver bastard trumpeter, silver bastard trumpeter, silver trumpeter or white bastard trumpeter, is a species of marine ray finned fish belonging to the family Latridae, the trumpeters. It is native to the eastern Indian Ocean and southwestern Pacific Ocean. This species is commercially important.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magpie perch</span> Species of fish

The magpie perch, magpie morwong or black-striped morwong, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, traditionally regarded as belonging to the family Cheilodactylidae, the members of which are commonly known as morwongs. It is found off southern Australia and northern New Zealand from shallow depths to 250 m (820 ft).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barred fingerfin</span> Species of fish

The barred fingerfin is a species of marine ray-finned fish, belonging to the family Cheilodactylidae, commonly referred to as morwongs. It is found only in the southeastern Atlantic and southwestern Indian Oceans off the coasts of South Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red morwong</span> Species of fish

The red morwong, also known as the sea carp, is a species of marine ray finned fish traditionally regarded as belonging to the family Cheilodactylidae, the members of which are commonly known as morwongs. It is found off southeast Australia and the North Island of New Zealand from shallow depths to at least 55 m, on rocky reef and coastal areas. Its length is between 30 and 60 cm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Painted moki</span> Species of fish

The painted moki, also known as the painted morwong, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, traditionally regarded as belonging to the family Cheilodactylidae, the members of which are commonly known as morwongs. It is found in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.

<i>Latris lineata</i> Species of fish

Latris lineata, the striped trumpeter, common trumpeter, copper moki, Hobart-town trumpeter, kokikohi, real trumpeter, Tasmanian striped trumpeter or Tasmanian trumpeter, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Latridae, the trumpeters. It is native to rocky reefs in the temperate oceans of the southern hemisphere.

<i>Cheilodactylus</i> Genus of fishes

Cheilodactylus is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Cheilodactylidae, known as morwongs, although this name is not unique to this family. They are found in the temperate waters of the southern hemisphere and in the North Pacific Ocean.

<i>Chirodactylus</i> Genus of fish

Chirodactylus is a genus of marine ray-finned fish, traditionally regarded as belonging to the family Cheilodactylidae, the members of which are commonly known as morwongs. They are native to the Atlantic, Indian and eastern Pacific oceans off southern Africa and South America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dusky morwong</span> Species of fish

The dusky morwong is a species of marine ray-finned fish, traditionally regarded as belonging to the family Cheilodactylidae, the members of which are commonly known as morwongs. It is native to the western and southern coastal reefs of Australia. This species is the only known member of its genus.

<i>Nemadactylus</i> Genus of fishes

Nemadactylus is a genus of marine ray-finned fish, traditionally regarded as belonging to the family Cheilodactylidae, the members of which are commonly known as morwongs. They are found in the South Atlantic, Indian and South Pacific Oceans.

<i>Goniistius</i> Genus of Actinopterygii

Goniistius is a subgenus of marine ray-finned fishes, traditionally classified as being within the genus Cheilodactylus and belonging to the family Cheilodactylidae, known as morwongs, although this name is not unique to this family and the true taxonomic placement of this taxon requires clarification. They are found in the Pacific Ocean and southeastern Indian Ocean.

<i>Morwong</i> (genus) Genus of fishes

Morwong is a genus of marine ray-finned fish traditionally classified as a subgenus within the genus Cheilodactylus and as belonging to the family Cheilodactylidae found in oceans off Australia and New Zealand. They were formerly included in the genus Cheilodactylus in family Cheilodactylidae, but based on genetic and morphological analyses they have strongly suggested that the genus Morwong is a valid genus and should be placed in the family Latridae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spottedtail morwong</span> Species of fish

The spottedtail morwong is a species of marine ray-finned fish, traditionally regarded as belonging to the family Cheilodactylidae, the members of which are commonly known as morwongs. It is found in the northwest Pacific Ocean.

<i>Nemadactylus valenciennesi</i> Species of fish

Nemadactylus valenciennesi, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, traditionally regarded as belonging to the family Cheilodactylidae, the members of which are commonly known as morwongs. It is endemic to southern Australia.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2021). Chirodactylus &speciesname= spectabilis" Chirodactylus spectabilis " in FishBase. June 2021 version.
  2. 1 2 Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Chirodactylus". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  3. ↑ Ludt, W.B., Burridge, C.P. & Chakrabarty, P. (2019). A taxonomic revision of Cheilodactylidae and Latridae (Centrarchiformes: Cirrhitoidei) using morphological and genomic characters. Zootaxa 585(1). doi : 10.11646/zootaxa.4585.1.7
  4. ↑ Christopher Scharpf & Kenneth J. Lazara, eds. (25 February 2021). "Order CENTRARCHIFORMES: Families CENTRARCHIDAE, ELASSOMATIDAE, ENOPLOSIDAE, SINIPERCIDAE, APLODACTYLIDAE, CHEILODACTYLIDAE, CHIRONEMIDAE, CIRRHITIDAE, LATRIDAE, PERCICHTHYIDAE, DICHISTIIDAE, GIRELLIDAE, KUHLIIDAE, KYPHOSIDAE, OPLEGNATHIDAE, TERAPONTIDAE, MICROCANTHIDAE and SCORPIDIDAE". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Bray, D.J. (2021). "Chirodactylus spectabilis". Fishes of Australia. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 "Banded Morwong". Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (Tasmania). Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Janine L. Baker (2011). Reef Fishes of Conservation Concern in South Australia. Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board, South Australia.
  8. 1 2 3 McMillan, P.J.; Francis, M.P.; Paul, L.J.; et al. (2011). New Zealand fishes. Volume 2: A field guide to less common species caught by bottom and midwater fishing. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report. Vol. 78. p. 130.
  9. ↑ Mark McGrouther (21 December 2020). "Banded Morwong, Cheilodactylus spectabilis (Hutton, 1872)". Australian Museum. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  10. ↑ "Assessment of the Tasmanian Banded Morwong Fishery". University of Tasmania Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
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