Southern crested weedfish (Cristiceps australis), first described by Valenciennes, 1836 is a medium-sized fish in the family Clinidae (order Blenniiformes). Adults typically reach 18.00 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. It occurs in Temperate waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.
Dorsal spines (total): 29 - 32; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6 - 8; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 24 - 26. Pelvic fin rays thick, finger-like, almost reaching anus . Extremely variable in color and pattern; usually matches various types of weed colors; some diffused banding .: elongated.
Behavioural data for Southern crested weedfish is currently being reviewed.
Marine; brackish; benthopelagic; depth range ? - 30 m . Temperate West Pacific: southern Australia.
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | crested weedfish · Southern Crested Weedfish · Weed Fish |
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cristiceps axillaris | Richardson | 1846 | Synonym |
| Cristiceps howittii | Castelnau | 1873 | Synonym |
| Cristiceps macleayi | Castelnau | 1879 | Synonym |
| Cristiceps pallidus | Macleay | 1881 | Synonym |
| Cristiceps splendens | Castelnau | 1872 | Synonym |
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 9 records indexed .
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