Magpie perch
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 Drawing by Dr Tony Ayling
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| Cheilodactylus nigripes Richardson, 1850 |
The magpie perch or magpie morwong, Cheilodactylus nigripes, is a morwong of the genus Cheilodactylus, found off southern Australia, Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, and northern New Zealand including the Kermadec Islands, from shallow depths to 250 m, on rocky reef and coastal areas. Its length is between 30 and 50 cm.
The magpie perch is similar to the painted moki in size and shape but has a high crest-like front portion on the dorsal fin and is slightly smaller.
Colouring is distinctive. There are two broad vertical black bars that continue on to the fins, set on a a dark silver background. Young specimens have reddish markings on the tail and caudal peduncle.
While fairly common in Australia the magpie perch is not common in New Zealand, only being seen around the north of the country.
[edit] References
- "Cheilodactylus nigripes". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. January 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.
- Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand, (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1982) ISBN 0-00-216987-8
