Notestes Robustus

[Dragonscales]

I just found this fish in a book and was wondering if anybody knows anything about them? I don't have a common name as the book only had a pic and the scientific name. A search on google brought up squat as well for both the family name and species name. I do know it is brackish and a predator fish though. Any help would be apreciated as they look pretty cool and I'd love to get one, if they are available in Oz (I'm guessing no at this stage, even for the fact that I can't find any info on them so I assume my crappy lfs would have never heard of them or have them on the ordering lists).

 

[CFC]

I believe the name is a miss spelling of Notesthes robusta or as it is commonly known the Bullrout. These are fish from the Scorpaenidae familyand have venomous spines which they use for protection. As they are a Australian native found in tidal brackish waters of Queensland you shouldnt have too much trouble finding one. They can grow to around 14 inches in length and will consume fishes up to 3/4 that size.

 

[Dragonscales]

bingo, that'd be the one, thanks cfc. Guess ya can't trust everything ya read huh? lol

I thought the spines may have been venomous from what I could see in the book and it looked to be related to the stone fish, not suprising seeing as it is on both counts. I may look into getting one after I move house and get a new tank for it. Thanks for the info though cfc, very cool looking fish

 

[Rainbow_fish]

it is quite common for them to be in pet shops around here. I know of at least 5 local shops that have had them in at 1 time or another. Nice fish but a bit costly.

John