Leatherjacket
Photo: Matt Salmond
Diamond shaped fish with brown leathery skin and extendable trigger above dorsal fin. Can change colours in camouflage patterning depending on the mood.
- Scientific Name
- Parika scaber
- Habitat
- The Leatherjacket can be found as youngsters around weed in shallow water from November onwards. Larger fish can be caught by line around most N.Z. waters
- Temperament
- Quite a peaceful fish in a mixed tank. Very easily tamed, but can nip if food not coming fast enough.
- Tank Age/Maturity
- At least 6 months old and preferably 600 litres, when caught as 2.5cm youngsters can attain 10cm+ in their first year.
- Diet
- Eats everything from flake food to mysid, partial to shellfish.
- Threatened Species
- N/A
- Special Requirements
- If chased in tank can wedge itself in rockwork by extending its trigger, will usually release if left alone. will eat sponges and invertebrates owing to their teeth arrangement.
- Endemic
- N/A
- Size
- 35cm