Yellowhead Hulafish, Trachinops noarlungae Glover 1974

Other Names: Noarlunga Hulafish, Trachinops, Yellow-headed Hulafish, Yellow-headed Prettyfin

Summary:

A greyish hulafish becoming paler below, with yellow along the top of the head and dorsal-fin base, yellow dorsal and anal fins with dark margins, a bright yellow tail with a deep blue margin, and a blue iris.

Cite this page as:

Bray, D.J. 2025, Trachinops noarlungae in Fishes of Australia, accessed 08 Jul 2026, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/4611

Yellowhead Hulafish, Trachinops noarlungae Glover 1974

More Info

Distribution	Endemic to southern and southwestern Australia from the Gulf St Vincent, South Australia, to the Houtman Abrolhos, Western Australia. Forms large schools on coastal reefs, often near caves and overhangs.
Features	Dorsal fin XIV, 20-21; Anal fin III, 22-23; Pectoral fin 17-18; Pelvic fin I, 4; Caudal fin 17; Lateral-line scales.73-90 + 9-14. Body elongate, shallow (16-20% SL) moderately compressed; caudal peduncle moderately deep. Head small (21-23% HL); eyes moderately large (28-32% HL); mouth moderately large, oblique, reaching to below centre of eyes; each jaw with about two rows of small conical teeth, outer row larger, upper jaw with several enlarged canines anteriorly on each side. Scales small, ctenoid on most of body, cycloid on head; lateral line in two segments, anterior-most angled upward and continuing posteriorly along dorsal profile of side, posterior-most short, on lateral mid line of caudal peduncle. Dorsal fin very low, continuous, with long base; anal fin similar to and opposite soft part of dorsal fin; caudal fin with central rays extended, becoming long and filamentous in adults. Pectoral fins small, rounded. Pelvic fins small, pointed, without elongate tip in adults.
Colour
Etymology	Named for the type locality: Port Noarlunga, St. Vincent Gulf, South Australia.
Species Citation	Trachinops noarlungae Glover, 1974, Marine and freshwater fishes of South Australia.: 225, fig. Type locality: Port Noarlunga, South Australia.
Author	Bray, D.J. 2025
Resources	Atlas of Living Australia Australian Faunal Directory Catalog of Fishes

Yellowhead Hulafish, Trachinops noarlungae Glover 1974

References

Glover, C.J.M. in Scott, T.D., Glover, C.J.M. & Southcott, R.V. 1974. The Marine and Freshwater Fishes of South Australia. Adelaide : Government Printer 392 pp.

Hoschke, A., Whisson, G. & Moore, G.I. 2019. Complete list of fishes from Rottnest Island, pp. 150-161 in Whisson, G. & Hoschke, A. (eds) The Rottnest Island fish book. 2nd ed. Perth : Aqua Research and Monitoring Services.

Hutchins, J.B. & Swainston, R. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete field guide for anglers and divers. Perth : Swainston Publishing 180 pp.

Hutchins, J.B. & Thompson, M. 1983. The Marine and Estuarine Fishes of South-western Australia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 103 pp. 345 figs.

Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 437 pp.

Kuiter, R.H. 1994. Family Plesiopidae. pp. 552-558 figs 490-495 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.

Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. A comprehensive reference for divers and fishermen. Sydney, NSW, Australia : New Holland Publishers xvii, 434 pp.

Kuiter, R.H. 2004. Basslets, Hamlets and their relatives. A comprehensive guide to selected Serranidae and Plesiopidae. Chorleywood, UK : TMC Publishing 1, 216 pp.

Mooi, R.D. 2008. Family Plesiopidae. pp.550-556 in Gomon. M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H (eds). Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp.

Williams, J.T. 2022. Trachinops noarlungae. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T214366318A214366320. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-2.RLTS.T214366318A214366320.en. Accessed on 15 October 2025.