Chinaman-leatherjacket
📖 Overview
Adults are found on the continental shelf and slope, while juveniles school seasonally in inshore waters . Juvenile ocean jackets have been caught in seagrass, over bare sand and on rocky reefs . Adults however, tend to be absent from seagrass areas . Are carnivorous, feeding mainly on salps. Other food items in the diet include gastropod mollusks, crustaceans and fish . Sold as fresh trunks .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 30 - 36; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 30 - 34. Whitish, pale yellowish brown, pale greyish brown or reddish, often with four brown stripes along sides; second dorsal and anal fins yellow; caudal fin rays yellowish brown, intervening membranes dusky. Pelvic fins rudimentary .: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Chinaman-leatherjacket is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Assumed nonguarder because of high fecundity (RF).
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 0 - 360 m , usually 0 - 200 m . Subtropical; 22°S - 39°S endemic to Australia, although a single specimen has been reported from New Zealand (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Chinaman-leatherjacket is an edible species."
- 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
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.4 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 270 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Chinaman-leatherjacket has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? ayraudi | Quoy & Gaimard | 1824 | Synonym |
| Aleuteres velutinus | Jenyns | 1842 | Synonym |
| Aluterus velutinus | Jenyns | 1842 | Synonym |
| Balistes ayraud | Quoy & Gaimard | 1824 | Synonym |
| Cantherhines ayraud | Quoy & Gaimard | 1824 | Synonym |
| Cantherhines ayraudi | Quoy & Gaimard | 1824 | Synonym |
| Monacanthus frauenfeldii | Kner | 1867 | Synonym |
| Monacanthus platifrons | Hollard | 1854 | Synonym |
| Monacanthus vittatus | Richardson | 1846 | Synonym |
| Monocanthus platifrons | Hollard | 1854 | Synonym |
| Nelusetta ayraudi | Quoy & Gaimard | 1824 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 35 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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