© Baker, J.L. (2009) Marine Species of Conservation Concern in South Australia Full citation Baker, J.L. (2009) Marine Species of Conservation Concern in South Australia: Volume 1 - Bony and Cartilaginous Fishes. Report for the South Australian Working Group for Marine Species of Conservation Concern. J. Baker (consultant); Science and Conservation Division, and Coast and Marine Conservation branches of S.A. Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH); Marine and Coastal Community Network of S.A. (MCCN), and Threatened Species Network (TSN). Web version published by Reef Watch, South Australia.

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APLODACTYLIDAE: SEA CARPS

© D. Muirhead, MLSSA

The Aplodactylidae is a small family of marine fishes, presently considered to comprise one genus (Russell, 2000; Burridge, 2000), and six species (Froese and Pauly, 2007), all of which look similar. In southern Australia there are 3 species (one of which also occurs in New Zealand), 2 in New Zealand, 2 in Chile (one of which also occurs in Peru) and one from Lord Howe, Norfolk and Kermadec islands (which also occurs in NZ) (Froese and Pauly, 2007). Aplodactylid fish are usually large-finned, mottled-patterned and drab-coloured fish that blend well with the macroalgae and rocks in which they rest, in turbulent coastal waters. Sea Carps feed on drifting macroalgae that has been ripped from the substrate by strong surge or currents (Kuiter, 1996a, 2000).
The two species found in South Australia are discussed below, due to their strong association with reefs in the shallow subtidal, and their potential vulnerability to threatening processes such as habitat degradation, mortality from recreational fishing (e.g. spear fishing), and unregulated bycatch.

Associated taxa

Southern Sea Carp / Marblefish	Aplodactylus arctidens Richardson, 1839
Western Sea Carp	Aplodactylus westralis Russell, 1987