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Red morwong (Cheilodactylus fuscus) — Cheilodactylidae

Red morwong

Cheilodactylus fuscus

The Red morwong (Cheilodactylus fuscus) is a fish of the family Cheilodactylidae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The red morwong is a morwong (Cheilodactylidae) from the temperate waters of southeastern Australia. The species grows to about 45 cm and has a deep, red-brown body with blotches and thickened, free lower pectoral fin rays. It inhabits rocky reefs in coastal waters, where it props itself on the bottom with its pectoral fin rays. With its fleshy lips it takes mouthfuls of sediment and sifts out small invertebrates such as worms, crustaceans and molluscs. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Red morwong?

The Red morwong is mainly red-orange and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Red morwong live?

The Red morwong is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Red morwong get?

The Red morwong grows to a maximum of about 45 cm.

Is the Red morwong dangerous to humans?

No, the Red morwong is harmless to humans.

Is the Red morwong edible?

Yes, the Red morwong is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Rode morwong sourced
English name
Red morwong sourced
Scientific name
Cheilodactylus fuscus
Family
Cheilodactylidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
45.0 sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Cheilodactylus

More from the family Cheilodactylidae

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