Dragonet, Bovichtus angustifrons Regan 1913

Other Names: Horny, Horny Thornfish, Marblefish, Thornfish, Variegated Marblefish

A Dragonet, Bovichtus angustifrons, in The Arches Marine Sanctuary, Twelve Apostles, Victoria, 2013. Source: Mark D. Norman / Museums Victoria. License: CC by Attribution

Summary:

Well-camouflaged fishes with large pectoral fins, a large head and a large spine projecting near the top of the gill cover. Variable in colour ranging from light bluish-grey to light brown with darker reddish to brown mottling, spots and blotches. Dragonets are often seen darting around in tide pools or on pier pylons.

Cite this page as:

Dianne J. Bray, Bovichtus angustifrons in Fishes of Australia, accessed 23 Jan 2025, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/935

Dragonet, Bovichtus angustifrons Regan 1913

More Info

Distribution	Endemic to southern Australia from Green Cape in southern New South Wales to about Ceduna in the Great Australian Bight, South Australia, and around Tasmania. Inhabits shallow rocky reefs and often seen in tidepools and around jetty pylons.
Features	Meristic features: Dorsal fin VIII, 18-20; Anal fin 18; Caudal fin 13-14; Pectoral fin 15-16; Pelvic fin I, 5; Lateral line (pores) 74-82.
Species Citation	Bovichthys angustifrons Regan, 1913, Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh 49(2): 255, pl. 4(1). Type locality: Tasmania.
Author	Dianne J. Bray

Dragonet, Bovichtus angustifrons Regan 1913

References

Edgar, G.J. 2008. Australian Marine Life: the plants and animals of temperate waters. Sydney : Reed New Holland 2, 624 pp.

Edgar, G.J., Last, P.R. & Wells, M.W. 1982. Coastal Fishes of Tasmania and Bass Strait. Hobart : Cat & Fiddle Press 175 pp.

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

Gomon, M.F. & Last, P.R. 2008. Family Bovichtidae. pp. 667-669 in Gomon. M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H (eds). Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp.

Hardy, G.S. 1988. A revision of Bovichtus Cuvier, 1831 (Pisces: Bovichthyidae) from Australasia, with description of a new deepwater species from the New Zealand Subantarctic. Journal of Natural History 22: 1639-1655 figs 1-5

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

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

Last, P.R., Scott, E.O.G. & Talbot, F.H. 1983. Fishes of Tasmania. Hobart : Tasmanian Fisheries Development Authority 563 pp. figs.

Regan, C.T. 1913. The Antarctic fishes of the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 49(2): 229-292 figs 1-6 pls 1-11