Microcanthus strigatus

Other Names: Footballer, convict fish

Size: 16 cm

Family: Kyphosidae, the sea chub family, native to the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans usually close to shore in marine waters.

Distribution: The stripey is found in the Pacific Ocean where it has a disjunct distribution with a northern and a southern population. The northern population is found from Japan and Taiwan to Hawaii and the southern population is found along the southern coasts of Australia, around Lord Howe Island and off New Caledonia. The Australian distribution runs from central Queensland to southern New South Wales, although it may extend as far as eastern Victoria and the north east of Tasmania. There is also a population in Western Australia which is found from Cape Leeuwin to Exmouth Gulf.

Status: Least concern

Habitat: The stripey occurs in coastal and lagoon reefs where during the day it forms dense schools which hide under ledges and in caves. Juvenile stripets are often seen in tidal pools while the adults may be seen around man-made structures such as jetties and harbour walls. They may enter brackish water.

References: Kuiter, Edgar, Stuart-Smith et. al, Wikipedia.

About the Stripey

The stripey has a deep, compressed body which has a rounded back, it has a distinctive pattern of oblique black and yellow, sometimes white, stripes. The stripes extend onto the dorsal and anal fins, and there is a black stripe which runs from the forehead to just to the rear of the eye.

Diet: The stripey feeds on small crustaceans and algae.

Photo taken at Sydney Aquarium, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Higher Resolution 2865 x 1910.

Photo taken at Sydney Aquarium, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Higher Resolution 3534 x 2356.

See Also

Australian Mammals
Australian Birds
Australian Reptiles
Australian Frogs
Australian Spiders and Their Faces
Australian Wild Plant Foods

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