© 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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Red Velvetfish

Family Name:	Gnathanacanthidae
Scientific Name:	Gnathanacanthus goetzeei Bleeker, 1855
Recommended Status in S.A:	Data Deficient, possibly Least Concern (in S.A.); (N.B. possibly NT in Tasmania)
Rationale:  Although Red Velvetfish has a broad geographic distribution across southern Australia, it is included here because (i) it is a benthic, strongly site-associated reef fish found in low densities in kelp and other reef habitats, over a relatively narrow depth range on the upper continental shelf, and these characteristics may increase the vulnerability of populations to site-specific impacts, particularly decline in cover of critical habitat; (ii) the species is slow-moving and easily caught, which makes populations potentially vulnerable to exploitation; (iii) although there is adequate information about the geographic distribution of this species in S.A., there is little information about the relative abundance; (iv) in Tasmania, it is part of a developing aquarium trade in temperate fish species, and such interest may spread to other southern States; there are also records of the species as bycatch in some commercial fisheries (including S.A.), and it has also been taken by anglers and spear fishers; and (v) more information is required about the biology of this species, including growth, longevity and (especially) reproduction. Currently, the recommended classification is Data Deficient for S.A., because an assessment of potential population impacts of threatening processes (habitat degradation; target catch, bycatch) has not been undertaken in South Australia. Following that, if there is no evidence for decline over space and time in S.A., then the recommended classification would be Least Concern, due to the broad geographic distribution of this species (including much of the S.A. coast), and the low level of threat. However, It is noted that in Tasmania, there has been a significant decline in sightings of this species over a 15 year period in a protected (unfished) area, likely to reduction in critical habitat (kelp cover). The species may qualify for Near Threatened or even Vulnerable status in Tasmania (G. Edgar, University of Tasmania, pers. comm., 2006).

Page Contents

Current Conservation Status

No listings known

Distribution

Southern Australia

Gnathanacanthus goetzeei is found mainly in Tasmania, Bass Strait, and around Victoria (from Wilson’s Promontory westwards), but also occurs in South Australia and Western Australia (to Jurien Bay) (Hutchins and Swainston, 1986; Paxton et al., 1989, cited in Froese and Pauly, 2006; Gomon, in Gomon et al., 1994; Kuiter, 1996b; Edgar, 2000; Barrett and Wilcox, 2001; W.A. Museum, 2003; Hutchins, 2005).
The Derwent River estuary in Tasmania is the type locality (Eschmeyer, 2001).
The species was commonly encountered during recent surveys of Victorian nearshore subtidal reefs (Edmunds and Hart, 2003).
Previously, Edgar (2000) reported that Red Velvetfish is seen more often in Tasmania than in waters off mainland States (but see Threatening Processes below, on recent decline in sightings).

South Australia

The Red Velvetfish has a broad geographical range within South Australia. Examples of locations where the species has been recorded in S.A., include the islands (e.g. Investigator Group) and bays (e.g. Ceduna area) in the eastern Great Australian Bight; southern Eyre Peninsula (e.g. Port Lincoln / Thorny Passage area); various parts of Spencer Gulf (such as the Moonta / Tiparra area, and the south-central waters); Althorpe islands; southern Yorke Peninsula (both the western “toe” and eastern “heel”); eastern Investigator Strait; Gulf St Vincent (including metropolitan area, such as Marino Rocks, and Glenelg); northern Kangaroo Island (e.g. Middle River, Stokes Bay); north-eastern Kangaroo Island (Hog Bay area, and other locations along the Dudley Peninsula); Encounter Bay area (e.g. Victor Harbor area, Port Elliott, Goolwa) and the South East (e.g. Cape Jaffa area; Robe area; Beachport area) (Glover, 1979; MLSSA, undated; D. Muirhead, pers. comm., 2005; Australian Museum, 2004m; Edgar et al., 2006; Australian Museum record, and South Australian Museum records, cited in OZCAM, 2007).
The Red Velvetfish is also known from reef near the S.A. / Victorian border, in the Discovery Bay Marine National Park (Plummer et al., 2003).

Habitat

This benthic species is found inshore (Paxton et al., 1989, cited in Froese and Pauly, 2007), in protected and moderately exposed areas of reef and macroalgae (particularly kelp, but also on reefs with dense cover of mixed brown and red macroalgae), between 2m and 30m (Hutchins and Swainston, 1986; Kuiter, 1996a; photograph by D. Muirhead, 1999; Edgar, 2000).  The species also occurs under jetties (Hutchins and Swainston, 1986).
Red Velvetfish has also been recorded in shallow coastal bays (Kuiter, 1996b), including sandy habitats (Hyndes et al., 1999), and in (and adjacent to) estuarine areas (e.g. the Derwent River estuary in Tasmania; Lake Alexandrina and off Kangaroo Island’s Middle River in S.A.) (Anon., 2002b, cited in Froese and Pauly, 2007; South Australian Museum records, cited in OZCAM database, 2007).

Notes on the Biology

Growth

This species grows to between 30cm (Gomon, in Gomon et al., 1994; Nelson, 1994; Kuiter, 1996a) and 46cm (Hutchins and Swainston, 1986; Edgar, 2000; Parks Victoria, 2002b). One of the reported record weights is 0.659kg (Hutchins and Swainston, 1986, 2001), being a specimen taken in Tasmania in 1972 (Australian Underwater Federation Inc., 2003).

Diet

The Red Velvetfish feeds at night, on shrimps (Kuiter, 1996a and 1996b) and other crustaceans (e.g. crabs), and also cephalopods (e.g. octopus) (Parks Victoria, 2004).
 

Other Information

The colour of the Red Velvetfish ranges from yellowy brown to bright orangey red, and is particularly brightly coloured when removed from water (Hutchins and Swainston, 1986; Edgar, 2000). The species is difficult to detect in its natural habitat, because red light is rapidly absorbed in seawater, and also because the animal sways with the surge in the same way as nearby kelp plants (Edgar, 2000).
Juveniles are almost transparent, with red spots and lines (Hutchins and Swainston, 1986), and change when about 6cm to brownish colour, with less distinct spotting. Adults are brown to red with mottled pattern (Kuiter, 1996b).
The Red Velvetfish is infrequently observed (Hutchins and Swainston, 1986). Although the species is fairly common in some localities, it is rarely seen during the day (Kuiter, 1996b), and is most active at night (Parks Victoria, 2002b).

Fisheries Information

Commercial

The species may be vulnerable to bycatch in commercial gillnets (e.g. in Tasmania – see Murphy and Lyle, 1999).
In Tasmania, under the Tasmanian Fisheries (Scalefish) Rules 2004, Regulation 100, there is a commercial fishing possession limitation of a maximum of 3 Red Velvetfish per licence holder per day, due to the development of a separate aquarium trade (see below).
The species is reported to be of interest in the aquarium trade (DPIF Tasmania, 1998). There is an aquarium supply company in Tasmania that promotes Red Velvetfish as an aquarium species.  In 2005, specimens from southern Australia were being sold on the international aquarium market for US$165 – US$200 (Ryan and Clarke, 2005). Red Velvetfish, which is exported to US and European markets, is also advertised in countries such as Taiwan.
There are records of the species being taken as bycatch in rock lobster pots (e.g. SA Museum record F 06758, cited in OZCAM database, 2004).

Recreational

The species is occasionally taken by gill nets in Tasmanian waters (Edgar, 2000). There is a possession limit for fishers in Tasmania of 3 Red Velvetfish (DPIF Tasmania, 1998).
Although the species is not targeted, it has been taken by recreational fishers in some areas, and there are records of the maximum sizes of Red Velvetfish caught (e.g. Australian Anglers Association, W.A. Division, 2005).
The species is taken by some spear fishers. The maximum recorded size of a Red Velvetfish taken by spearfishing was a specimen of 0.66kg, taken in Tasmania in 1972 (Australian Underwater Federation Inc., 2003).

Vulnerable Characteristics of the Species

Red Velvetfish is a benthic, strongly site-associated reef fish found in low densities in kelp and other reef habitats, over a relatively narrow depth range on the upper continental shelf, and these characteristics may increase the vulnerability of populations to site-specific impacts.
The species is “docile”, slow-moving and easily caught, which makes populations potentially vulnerable to exploitation.
There is no knowledge of reproduction in this species. If dispersal is low, and recruitment of the next generation is localised, then that mode of reproduction may increase the vulnerability of populations to site-specific impacts.

Threatening Processes

Due to the shallow distribution of the Red Velvetfish, and its preference for kelp beds, any processes that reduce distribution or abundance of kelps and other canopy macroalgae in nearshore areas, could potentially affect populations of this species in areas where it relies upon such habitat. This might include processes such as siltation, eutrophication, and physical destruction of nearshore habitat through coastal development. Over longer time scales, ecosystem changes due to food chain disruption, and global warming might also adversely affect macroalgae cover. It is noted that, during a marine protected area monitoring program in Tasmania, a major (five-fold) decline in sightings of this species has been observed over a 15 year period, likely to due to reduction in critical habitat (kelp cover) (G. Edgar, University of Tasmania, pers. comm., 2006).
The extent to which populations of Red Velvetfish are affected by fishing mortality is not known. Collection for the aquarium trade and fishing mortality (as target or bycatch) may potentially threaten local populations in some areas, but no data are available. The numbers taken in Tasmania are low (G. Edgar, University of Tasmania, pers. comm., 2006).

Research Requirements

There appears to be little information about the relative abundance of this species in many parts of the range, including South Australia.
More information is required about the biology of this species, including growth, longevity and (especially) reproduction.

Management Requirements

Measures to reduce the by-catch of this species in gill nets and rock lobster pots should be encouraged.
The annual take of this species for the aquarium trade should be documented over space and time, and sustainability assessments should be undertaken. The potential for illegal collecting of this species should also be monitored and prevented.
Ongoing efforts are required to restore the degraded kelp beds and other macroalgae-dominated nearshore habitats, particularly in developed areas such as the metropolitan coast of Gulf St Vincent.
The capture of this non-edible species by recreational anglers and spear-fishers should be prohibited.

Other Information

Red Velvetfish is a popular species for divers and marine photographers, and it is periodically recorded and photographed by divers in other States.
The species occurs in a number of Marine National Parks (MNPs) in Victoria, such as the Wilsons Promontory MNP, Bunurong MNP and the Discovery Bay MNP, near the South Australian border (Parks Victoria, 2002b; Edmunds et al., 2003; Plummer et al., 2003).
Red Velvetfish is one of the reef fish species monitored by the Reef Watch program in Victoria.
In northern Tasmania, the species has been recorded at a small number of sites proposed for marine protected area status (Barrett and Wilcox, 2001).