Kyphosus sydneyanus (Günther, 1886)
Silver drummer
Kyphosus sydneyanus
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Kyphosidae (Sea chubs)
Max. size:  80 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 1,130.0 g
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine; depth range 1 - 20 m
Distribution:  Southwest Pacific: southern half of Australia on both coast, east to Lord Howe Islands, Norfolk Islands, northern New Zealand, and New Caledonia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12; Anal spines: 2-3; Anal soft rays: 10-12; Vertebrae: 26-26. This species is distinguished by the following characters: in lateral view, body is oval to circular, not compressed; head with distinct slanting profile from interorbital region to tip of snout, with characteristic bulb anterior-dorsally of eye, giving a protruding head profile; D X-XI,11-12: A II-III, 10-12; first gill-arch with 3-7 gill rakers on upper part, 10-15 on the lower part; total lateral line scales 52-66, 42-56 are pored; longitudinal scales 48-57; vertebrae: precaudal 11, caudal 15; pterygiophores: dorsal 20-21, anal 12; interorbital region with scales (Ref. 95491).
Biology:  Occurs in large schools in comparatively shallow water in the vicinity of rocky reefs. Feeds on weeds (Ref. 2156).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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