In floating wrack. Approx. 25mm
Dwarf Red Scorpionfish (Scorpaena vesperalis) ?
~5cm TL (compare size to blade of dead seagrass, and mussel shell in photos).
Large bushy tentacles over eyes
Night dive, at 6m depth.
The area has many small scorpionfish at night but this stands out as different. As it is less than 3 cm long, it is much smaller than others, so I have always assumed it may have been a juvenile Maxillicosta scabriceps but is substantially different in appearance
Inside the main cave at Swirl Reef, Rottnest Island
There is a small area of Isolated reef in 24 to 32 metres depth, 20 kilometres SW of the Dawesville cut. This area is on the fringes of the Leeuwin current. The Squirrelfish photographed was solo and also my only observation in Perth waters
10 to 15 cm long. In a small ledge in a small clump of reef in 12 M.
10 cm long. Sighted on top of reef where it would in an out of cover. Depth was 10 metres.
Wash-up.