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Leopard wirrah (Acanthistius pardalotus) — Serranidae

Leopard wirrah

Acanthistius pardalotus
Family: Serranidae

The Leopard wirrah (Acanthistius pardalotus) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 37 cm.

Length
37 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–36.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Leopard wirrah is a seabass, called 'wirrah' in Australia (Serranidae), from reef water of coastal waters of northwestern Australia. The species has a stocky, brown with dark and orange spots body with a large mouth. As a bottom-oriented ambush hunter it shelters by day among rocks and coral and seizes small fish and crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Leopard wirrah?

The Leopard wirrah has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Leopard wirrah live?

The Leopard wirrah lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Leopard wirrah get?

The Leopard wirrah grows to a maximum of about 37 cm.

Is the Leopard wirrah dangerous to humans?

No, the Leopard wirrah is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Luipaard-wirrah sourced
English name
Leopard wirrah sourced
Scientific name
Acanthistius pardalotus
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Leopard wirrah verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
37.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Max depth (m)
36.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Acanthistius

More from the family Serranidae

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