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Brown weedfish (Heteroclinus roseus) — Clinidae

Brown weedfish

Heteroclinus roseus
Family: Clinidae

The Brown weedfish (Heteroclinus roseus) is a saltwater fish of the family Clinidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Japan, Norfolk I., Lord Howe I.

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Description

The brown weedfish is a clinid (Clinidae) from temperate coastal waters of southern Australia. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an elongate, red-brown to greenish body with a long, continuous dorsal fin and small tufts (cirri) above the eyes, with which it camouflages among weed and seagrass. As a bottom-dweller it lives on rocky reefs and in seagrass beds and snaps at small crustaceans and invertebrates. It is livebearing. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brown weedfish?

The Brown weedfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Brown weedfish live?

The Brown weedfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Oceania: Australia, Japan, Norfolk I., Lord Howe I.

How big does the Brown weedfish get?

The Brown weedfish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Brown weedfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Brown weedfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Brown weedfish (Heteroclinus roseus) — Clinidae — 2
Roshmi Sarma (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — AM
Brown weedfish (Heteroclinus roseus) — Clinidae — 3
Mark McGrouther (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — AM
Brown weedfish (Heteroclinus roseus) — Clinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) J. Martin Crossley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Brown weedfish (Heteroclinus roseus) — Clinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Alanna Bowd, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Brown weedfish sourced
Scientific name
Heteroclinus roseus
Family
Clinidae
Other names
Pink weedfish; Rosy weedfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Japan, Norfolk I., Lord Howe I. sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Heteroclinus

More from the family Clinidae

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