Genus Achoerodus


Summary:

An endemic genus with two species, both confined to southern Australian waters.

  • Achoerodus Gill, 1863, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. 15(5): 222.
    Type species:  Labrus gouldii Richardson, 1843 by original designation.

Body deep (32-41 % SL); hump developing on  forehead in large individuals; mouth moderately small, reaching distinctly short of eye; lips very fleshy, hood‑like; each jaw with 2 pairs of flattened canines at front, lateral teeth mostly embedded and fused with jaw, no enlarged canine at rear of upper jaw; scales moderately large, covering rear portion of head including cheeks, extending onto bases of dorsal and anal fins;  lateral line smoothly curved; caudal fin squared off but rounded at corners; pelvic fins short, tip reaching distinctly short of anus.

Key to species of Achoerodus.

1          Lateral-line scales 33–37;  scales above lateral line 7–7 ½ ..................................Achoerodus gouldii

            Lateral-line scales 41–45;  scales above lateral line 9–10 ½ ……..........................Achoerodus viridis

Author: Barry C. Russell & Martin F. Gomon

Cite this page as:
Barry C. Russell & Martin F. Gomon, Achoerodus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 29 Mar 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/genus/19

References


Gill, T.N. 1863. Notes on the labroids of the western coast of North America. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 15(5): 221-224 [222].

Gomon, M.F. 1997. Relationships of fishes of the labrid tribe Hypsigenyini. Bulletin of Marine Science 60(3): 789-871 figs 1-39, 4 tables

Gomon, M.F. &. Russell, B.C. 1994. Family Labridae. pp. 675-699 in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds). The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. Adelaide : State Printer 992 pp. 810 figs.

Russell, B.C. & Gomon, M.F. 2008. Family Labridae. pp. 638-659 in Gomon. M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H (eds). Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp.