The red velvetfish (Gnathanacanthus goetzeei) is a species of marine ray-finned fish, it is the only species in the monotypicgenusGnathanacanthus and monogeneric subfamilyGnathanacanthinae. This species is endemic to the inshore waters of western and southern Australia.
The name of the genus and family combine gnathus, meaning, "jaw", ana, meaning "not" and acanthus, meaning "thorn" or "spine", thought to refer to the lack of spines on the head, particularly in comparison to the ScorpaenidTaenianotus which was thought to be a close relative when Bleeker described this taxon. The specific name honours J. W. Goetzee who sent Bleeker specimens of fishes from Hobart, including the holotype of this species.[10]
Description
The red velvetfish has a highly compressed body that lacks scales but has a covering of papillae which give the skin a texture like velvet.[11] The fins are large and rounded, the dorsal fin is divided into two with the spines in the first dorsal fin bearing venom. The dorsal fins contain 12 or 13 spines and 9 or 10 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and between 8 and 10 soft rays. The pelvic fins sit beneath the pectoral fins. They have reached a maximum length of 46cm (18in). They are typically red yellow or orange with some mottling while the juveniles are translucent with red stripes, spots and ocelli.[12]
Distribution and habitat
The red velvetfish is endemic to temperate seas off southern Australia It ius found from in the vicinity of Lake Tyers in Victoria west to Point Moore, near Geraldton, Western Australia, it also occurs off the northern and eastern coasts of Tasmania and around the islands in the Bass Strait. They are found within kelp and other seaweeds on protected rock reefs, frequently living deep within caves and crevices at depths down to 55m (180ft).[12]
Biology
Red velvetfish sway back and forth with the swell in a similar manner to the kelp fronds they live among, enhancing their camouflage and making the difficult to detect.[12] The predominantly red colour is dull in the absence of red light at the depths these fishes live in, further enhancing their camouflage.[13] They are nocturnal[11]ambush predators feeding largely on crustaceans and cephalopods, as well as smaller fishes.[12] In humans invenomation by the red velvetfish is documented as causing excruciating pain with a duration of many hours.[13]
Cultural depiction
The red velvetfish has been depicted on an Australian postage stamp of 1985.[14]
