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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible ⚠️ Venomous ⚡ Venomous 🌡️ Tropical

Cockatoo waspfish

Ablabys taenianotus Cuvier, 1829
Cockatoo Waspfish (Ablabys taenianotus)
Cockatoo Waspfish (Ablabys taenianotus)
Max Length
15 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.2
Depth
1–78 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
35.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

Inhabits shallow, subtidal areas with sand rubble and weed . A strongly compressed fish that can be seen rocking back and forth on the bottom in response to surge. Easily caught with small hand nets. Nocturnal . Solitary or in pairs (Ref 90102).

Scientific Name
Ablabys taenianotus
Authority
Cuvier, 1829
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
15 cm
Depth Range
1–78 m
Latitude
31°S – 38°N
Trophic Level
3.2
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
35.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 17 - 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6 - 7; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 4 - 5. : short and / or deep.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Cockatoo waspfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Cockatoo waspfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Cockatoo waspfish is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 1 - 78 m . Tropical; 38°N - 31°S, 90°E - 179°E north to Japan, south to Australia.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine
Trophic Level
3.2±0.3
🌙 Nocturnal 🧍 Solitary

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.0195 × L3.03 (TL)
Max TL
15cm
Dorsal Spines
18
Dorsal Rays
7
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
5

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2023

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
35.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.2
Predator
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
38°N – 31°S
Described By
Cuvier, 1829

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Cockatoo waspfish is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 15.9 g
Omega-3 (total) 275 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Cockatoo waspfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Cockatoo Fish · Cockatoo Leaf Fish · Cockatoo Waspfish · Cockatoo leaf-fish · Leaf Fish · Roque fish · Rouge fish
🌍CES ropušnička kolébavá
🇩🇰Danish Kakaduefisk
🇩🇪German Kakadu-Stirnflosser
🇫🇷French Poisson-guêpe cacatoès
🇯🇵Japanese Tsumajiro-okoze · Tsumajirookoze · ツマジロオコゼ
🌍MSA Ikan sampah
🇷🇺Russian Полосатый амблиапист
🌍THA ปลากระตั้วใบไม้
🇨🇳Chinese 獅子魚 · 背帶帆鰭鮋 · 背帶長絨鮋 · 黑虎

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Ablabys taenionotus Cuvier 1829 Synonym
Ambliapistus taenionotus Cuvier 1829 Synonym
Amblyapistus slacksmithi Whitley 1958 Synonym
Amblyapistus taenianotus Cuvier 1829 Synonym
Amblyapistus taenionotris Cuv. - Synonym
Amblyapistus taenionotus Cuvier 1829 Synonym
Apistus taenianotus Cuvier 1829 Synonym
Apistus taenionotus Cuvier 1829 Synonym
Tetraroge alboguttata Liénard 1891 Synonym
Tetraroge cristagalli Günther 1860 Synonym
Tetraroge taenionotus Cuvier 1829 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 9 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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