Heteroscarus acroptilus | |
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A male rainbow cale | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Perciformes |
Family: | Odacidae |
Genus: |
Heteroscarus Castelnau, 1872 |
Species: | H. acroptilus |
Binomial name | |
Heteroscarus acroptilus (J. Richardson, 1846) |
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Synonyms | |
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Heteroscarus acroptilus, the rainbow cale, is a species of weed whiting endemic to Australia where it is found in marine waters along the southern coast. It inhabits rocky reefs that have plentiful growth of brown algae and also in beds of seagrass, particularly those of the genus Posidonia. It occurs at depths of from 1 to 15 metres (3.3 to 49.2 ft). This species grows to a length of 24 centimetres (9.4 in) SL. It can also be found in the aquarium trade. This species is the only known member of its genus.