© 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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PATAECIDAE: PROWFISHES

© B. Hutchins

The Pataecidae is a small family of marine fishes, endemic to Australia.  The Prowfishes are relatives of the Velvetfishes, and have a high dorsal fin that stretches the length of the body, and no ventral fins (Poss, in Gomon et al., 1994). The long, continuous dorsal fin helps to disguise the fish from predators (Drabsch, 1996). The body of Prowfishes is wedge-shaped, with no scales, and some species are covered with fleshy papillae or wart-like bumps (Gomon, in Gomon et al., 1994). Body shape in the family Pataecidae is laterally compressed. This assists in camouflage (because laterally compressed fish have a strong resemblance to seaweed) and can also indicate a bentho-pelagic lifestyle, whereby the fish are free swimming near the sea floor (Drabsch, 1996).
There are 3 genera known, all endemic to Australian waters, each with a single species (Gomon, in Gomon et al., 1994; CSIRO, 2007). Two members are widely distributed in southern Australia, the Warty Prowfish Aetapcus maculatus and the Red Indianfish Pataecus fronto, and the third, the Whiskered Prowfish Neopataecus waterhousii, is rarer and has a more limited distribution than other two. The Tasmanian Prowfish Pataecus (or Aetapcus) armatus (Johnston, 1891, cited by DPIF Tasmania, 1998 and Queen Victoria Museum, 2003) is not generally recognised as a species (see Gomon, in Gomon et al., 1994; Australian Museum, 2003i, 2004a).
The three species in the family are discussed here, due to their benthic existence, strong habitat association, low densities per habitat area, slow movements, and probable localised reproduction; all being characteristics that can increase the vulnerability of populations to decline from localised impacts.

Associated taxa

Whiskered Prowfish	Neopataecus waterhousii (Castelnau, 1872)
Red Indianfish / Red Indian Fish	Pataecus fronto Richardson, 1844
Warty Prowfish	Aetapcus maculatus (Günther, 1861)