WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Spiny Waspfish

Ablabys macracanthus

Also known as: Spiny Cockatoo, Spiny Cockatoo Waspfish, Spiny Leaf Fish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2024
Adult
@fishx6 · Lembeh, Indonesia · August 20081 / 9
01

Overview

Found singly or in pairs, rocking in the current during the day, over sand, rubble, and weedy bottoms, of shallow reefs.
They feed nocturnally on tiny crustaceans, by ambushing their prey pretending to be a dead leaf.

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.

02

How to identify

COLOURS
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-West Pacific
  • Country only · 9
LIVES IN

Found singly or in pairs, rocking in the current during the day, over sand, rubble, and weedy bottoms, of shallow reefs.

04

Adult photos 9

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. familyTetrarogidae
    6. genusAblabys
    7. speciesAblabys macracanthus (Bleeker, 1852)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Waspfishes (Tetrarogidae)