Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Rank Species | Family Tetrarogidae Higher classification Neovespicula Order Scorpaeniformes | |
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Genus Neovespicula
Mandritsa, 2001 Scientific name Neovespicula depressifrons Similar Tetrarogidae, Tetraroge, Scorpaeniformes, Centropogon, Paracentropogon | ||
Neovespicula depressifrons aka leaf goblinfish or butterfly groupers
The leaf goblinfish (Neovespicula depressifrons) is a species of waspfish found in coastal habitats of the Indo-West Pacific region.
Contents
- Neovespicula depressifrons aka leaf goblinfish or butterfly groupers
- Neovespicula depressifrons
- Taxonomy
- Morphology
- Distribution
- Ecology
- Commercial importance
- References
Neovespicula depressifrons
Taxonomy
N. depressifrons is the sole member of the genus Neovespicula. Synonyms include Apistes depressifrons and Vespicula depressifrons.
Despite being traded as an aquarium fish under a variety of (somewhat misleading) common names, including dusky panther goby and butterfly goby, this fish is not a goby; it is in fact a member of the waspfish family Tetrarogidae within the suborder Scorpaenoidei.
Morphology
N. depressifrons is a small species, reaching a maximum size of 10 cm. It is similar to the bullrout in shape and colouration - mottled brown with a distinctive light stripe running along the dorsal surface from the nose and along the back of the fish. It has two dorsal fins, the first being notably taller than the second.
Distribution
The leaf goblinfish has been reported from Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines.
Ecology
Like other waspfish, N. depressifrons is a stealthy predator that feeds on various small fish and invertebrates. Also in common with other waspfish, it is equipped with venomous spines. N. depressifrons is a euryhaline species, so may be found in saltwater, brackish water, and freshwater environments.
Commercial importance
It is of no commercial importance, but occasionally gets traded as an aquarium fish.
