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🌊 Marine ⚠️ Venomous ⚡ Venomous 🌡️ Temperate

Whitley's gurnard perch

Maxillicosta whitleyi Eschmeyer & Poss, 1976
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Max Length
7 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.3
Depth
20–140 m
Climate
Temperate
Resilience
-
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Whitley's gurnard perch (Maxillicosta whitleyi), first described by Eschmeyer & Poss, 1976 is a small fish in the family Neosebastidae (order Perciformes). Adults typically reach 7.00 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 20 to 140 metres. It occurs in Temperate waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator. The species is venomous and potentially dangerous to handle.

Scientific Name
Maxillicosta whitleyi
Authority
Eschmeyer & Poss, 1976
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Temperate
Max Length
7 cm
Depth Range
20–140 m
Trophic Level
3.3
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Ray-finned fishes
Actinopterygii
Order
Perch-like fishes
Perciformes
Family
Neosebastidae
Neosebastidae
Genus
Maxillicosta
Maxillicosta
Species
Whitley's gurnard perch
Maxillicosta whitleyi

🐟 Physical Description

Physical description for Whitley's gurnard perch is currently being compiled.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Whitley's gurnard perch is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring-summer
Spawn Location
Pelagic
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range 20 - 140 m . Temperate; 28°S -

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.3±0.3

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01995 × L3.01 (TL)
Max TL
7cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Fishing Vulnerability
10.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.3
Predator
Climate Zone
Temperate
Described By
Eschmeyer & Poss, 1976

⚠️ Venom Profile

Medical Warning: This species is venomous. Seek immediate medical attention if envenomated. Contact emergency services and follow first aid guidance below.
Venom Type
proteinaceous neurotoxin
Delivery
dorsal, anal, and pelvic fin spines
Potency
Severe
Mortality Risk
Low
Symptom Onset
5min
Duration
24.0hrs
Antivenom
✗ Not Available
Named Toxins
high-molecular-weight protein (Stonustoxin analogue) acetylcholine
Symptoms
  • immediate intense pain
  • swelling
  • erythema
  • occasional nausea and weakness
Affected Body Systems
peripheral nervous system cardiovascular
First Aid
Immerse affected area in hot water (45 C, tolerable) for 30-90 minutes to denature toxin. Do not apply ice.
Medical Treatment

Analgesia; wound care; tetanus prophylaxis; severe cases may require monitoring for systemic effects.

References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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