Rob & Sue Peatling
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Heteroclinus johnstoni (Saville-Kent, 1886)
The Weedfish, Heteroclinus johnstoni, is a brown to reddish spotted herbivore with large lobed nasal tentacles, irregular bars on the body extending onto the dorsal and anal fins, each enclosing a large black spot (each surrounded by a yellow to yellowish-brown ring) along the dorsum, and a whitish spot extending from the eye onto the cheek.
Brief Description:
Head and body reddish to brown, mottled white to yellow; about eight interrupted vertical bars on body extending to dorsal and anal fins; seven large black spots surrounded by a yellow ring along dorsal surface of body, one similar spot at anterior end of lateral line, and one above each pectoral fin base; Head with randomly scattered, medium-sized black spots; whitish, elongate spot radiating posteriorly from lower posterior half of each eye; fins brownish with yellow bands and lines.
Habitat:
Heteroclinus johnston inhabits low rocky reefs in sandy areas and usually resides among macroalgae.
Etymology:
The species was named in honor of Robert Mackenzie Johnston:
"I have proposed to designate this hitherto undescribed fish by the name Clinus Johnstoni, the specific title being associated with that of Mr. R. M. Johnston, F.L.S., the author of a descriptive catalog of the fishes of Tasmania, to whom science owes much for the already advanced state of our knowledge of the fish fauna of this colony."
Synonym: Clinus johnstoni Saville-Kent, 1886
The Weedfish, Heteroclinus johnstoni, is a brown to reddish spotted herbivore with large lobed nasal tentacles, irregular bars on the body extending onto the dorsal and anal fins, each enclosing a large black spot (each surrounded by a yellow to yellowish-brown ring) along the dorsum, and a whitish spot extending from the eye onto the cheek.
Brief Description:
Head and body reddish to brown, mottled white to yellow; about eight interrupted vertical bars on body extending to dorsal and anal fins; seven large black spots surrounded by a yellow ring along dorsal surface of body, one similar spot at anterior end of lateral line, and one above each pectoral fin base; Head with randomly scattered, medium-sized black spots; whitish, elongate spot radiating posteriorly from lower posterior half of each eye; fins brownish with yellow bands and lines.
Habitat:
Heteroclinus johnston inhabits low rocky reefs in sandy areas and usually resides among macroalgae.
Etymology:
The species was named in honor of Robert Mackenzie Johnston:
"I have proposed to designate this hitherto undescribed fish by the name Clinus Johnstoni, the specific title being associated with that of Mr. R. M. Johnston, F.L.S., the author of a descriptive catalog of the fishes of Tasmania, to whom science owes much for the already advanced state of our knowledge of the fish fauna of this colony."
Synonym: Clinus johnstoni Saville-Kent, 1886
