Species: Dicotylichthys punctulatus

Bundjalung name: Jalum (fish)
Status (IUCN):  Not Evaluated

Characteristics

• Length: Up to 43cm long (but more commonly around 18cm) 

• Colour: Whitish grey fish covered in small raised spines and dark spots and with three dark bars – at the eye, on the operculum, and behind the pectoral fin. Very rounded body, broad head, large eyes and distinctive beak with fused teeth forming a single plate in both jaws. 

• Diet: They use their beak to crush small hard-shelled invertebrates such as sea urchins, crustaceans and gastropods.

• Lifespan: At least ten years. 

Fun Fact

Habitat: Endemic to Australia, these fish are found on coastal and offshore reefs from Moreton Bay to northern Tasmania. 

 

Threats: While not known to be at risk at a population level, there are still many potential threats facing this species such as climate change, bycatch, habitat loss, ocean acidification and pollution.