Redfingers

Redfingers
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Cheilodactylidae
Genus:	Cheilodactylus
Species:	C. fasciatus
Binomial name
Cheilodactylus fasciatus Lacepède, 1803

The redfingers, Cheilodactylus fasciatus, is a morwong of the genus Cheilodactylus, found only off the coasts of Namibia and South Africa, in rock pools and from shallow depths to 120 m, on rocky reef areas. Its length is up to 30 cm.

The redfingers is of typical morwong shape. The pectoral fins are reddish and, in adult specimens, the lower rays are thickened and elongated extending back to the origin of the anal fin. Adult colouration is broken mottled brown bars extending onto the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins. Juveniles are silvery.

They feed on benthic invertebrates.

References

• Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2006). "Cheilodactylus fasciatus" in FishBase. January 2006 version.
• G M Branch, C L Griffiths, M L Branch, & L E Beckley, Two Oceans, A Guide to the Marine Life of Southern Africa, (David Philip Publishers (Pty) Ltd, Claremont, South Africa 1994) ISBN 0-86486-250-4