© 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.

---

GNATHANACANTHIDAE: RED VELVETFISH

© John Lewis

The Gnathanacanthidae family is endemic to southern Australian waters, and contains a single genus and species (Gomon, in Gomon et al., 1994; Froese and Pauly, 2007). The single fish in the Gnathanacanthidae is distinguished from the prowfishes (Pataecidae) by the well-developed ventral fins, with a membrane that is attached to the abdomen, and a deeply notched dorsal fin (that begins above the eyes), and looks like two separate fins (Gomon, in Gomon et al., 1994).
Body shape in the family Gnathanacanthidae is laterally compressed. This assists in camouflage (because laterally compressed fish have a strong resemblance to seaweed) (Drabsch, 1996). The body of the fish species in this family is scale-less and smooth, and covered with numerous small papillae or tubercles, which give the surface a velvety appearance. The spines of Red Velvetfish are poisonous (Gomon, in Gomon et al., 1994; Kuiter, 1996a; Nelson, 1994, cited in Froese and Pauly, 2007).
The single, widely distributed species is discussed below, due to its slow-moving nature, benthic existence in shallow subtidal habitats, and relatively narrow depth range.

Associated taxa

Red Velvetfish

Gnathanacanthus goetzeei Bleeker, 1855