WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Red Indianfish

Pataecus fronto

Also known as: Indianfish, Prowfish, Red Foreheadfish., Red Foreheadfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2024
Adult
@greatwhite · Sydney Aquarium, Australia · April 20121 / 3
01

Overview

Found singly or in pairs, often hiding and blending in with the substrate, around coral outcrops and amongst sponges, in deeper waters of coastal and outer reefs. Recognised by the compressed body and saifin. Can be difficult to spot amongst coloured sponges, often swaying in the current resembling a leaf.
Indo-Pacific - Australia

Prowfish are a compressed fish with a tough skin (instead of scales) which they shed periodically to rid them of parasites.
They have no ventral fins, and combined with pushing with their dorsal-fin base they use their gill opening as propulsion to move around the reef.
As with all Scorpionfish they are masters of camouflage.

02

How to identify

Body shape
leaf
Fins & Tail
sail fin

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific
  • Exact location · 1
  • Country only · 2
LIVES IN

Found singly or in pairs, often hiding and blending in with the substrate, around coral outcrops and amongst sponges, in deeper waters of coastal and outer reefs.

04

Adult photos 3

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderPerciformes
    5. familyPataecidae
    6. genusPataecus
    7. speciesPataecus fronto Richardson, 1844

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Perciformes