Neosebastes occidentalis Motomura, 2004
Orangebanded gurnard perch
photo by CSIRO Australian National Fish Collection

Family:  Neosebastidae (Gurnard scorpionfishes)
Max. size:  18 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 100 - 185 m
Distribution:  Eastern Indian Ocean: Off the central western coast of Western Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-8; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 5-5. Diagnosis: Underside of mandible with numerous tiny pores, no ridges. Preocular spine usually divided into 2 points, and flattened anteriorly and posteriorly. There are no additional spines between lacrimal and suborbital ridges; upper opercular spine usually divided into 2-4 points; midinterorbital space extremely deep, usually not covered with scales; interorbital ridge distinct. Pored lateral-line scales 32-36 (mode 33); longitudinal scale rows 50-56 (55). Pectoral-fin rays 18-21 (21); pectoral fin long (2.4-3.0, mean 2.7 in SL), reaching or extending beyond a vertical at origin of last dorsal-fin spine. First anal-fin spine 1.5-1.7 (1.6) in third spine. Posterior margin of maxilla not reaching a vertical at posterior margin of pupil. Interorbital width wide (5.7-7.5, 6.8 in HL). Bilobed portion of swimbladder less than half of total swimbladder length; head and body whitish in preservative specimens. Body, head, and pelvic and anal fins nearly white or yellowish when fresh; no distinct small black spots on head or lateral line (Ref. 54394).
Biology:  Found on the continental shelf (Ref. 75154). Most specimens taken in trawls have sand grains inside the mouth indicating occurrence on open, predominantly sandy substrata (Ref. 54394).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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