Description

Also known as Australian Red Cockatoo Waspfish, Cockatoo Fish, Cockatoo Leaf Fish, Cockatoo Rougefish, Leaf Fish, Redskinfish.

Found singly or in pairs, rocking in the current during the day, over sand, rubble, and weedy bottoms, of shallow reefs. The Cockatoo Waspfish can be recognised by its long sail-like Dorsal Fin, which originates above the eyes.
They feed nocturnally on tiny crustaceans, by ambushing their prey pretending to be a dead leaf.
Length - 15cm
Depth - 1-70m
Widespread Eastern Indian Ocean

Waspfish can be distinguished from the Leaf Fish that belongs to the Scorpionfish family, by the Dorsal Fins that begin above or in the front of the eyes.
Most species sway back and forth to mimic debris as they wait for their victims to venture close.
Extremely venomous. Ref: https://www.fishbase.se/summary/10232