Fish Id

[Doughnuts]

Hi All,

Just after some identification if anyone can help. I believe this may be a bullrout.? But I got him in the salt which is a bit confusing as I thought they were a freshwater water fish. If it's not a bullrout that took a wrong turn, does anybody have any suggestions.?

[ellicat]

I'd call it a bullrout too.

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Definitely a bullrout. I catch quite a few in my castnet in the saltwater reaches of the Brisbane River around creeks or after rain. 

[Bretto77]

I agree with @ellicat and @AUS-BNE-FISHO. Also could be known as "ugly ouch" (though not technically). I can assure you that it can result in ouch though

[Doughnuts]

Yes I can confirm it is definitely an ugly ouch.  I didn't get spiked as such, it was more of a slice, so I don't think I got any real venom. Although the leg was still a bit painful for a few hours haha

[Peter K]

Hmmmmm....just saw this, try looking up a 'fortescue' they are certainly a SW fish not FW and are commonly mistaken as being a bullrout, they normally max out at about 15cm although they can be a bit stripy which your fish isn't, however each individual is different and environmental factors too. 

[ellicat]

I think you could be onto something, @Peter K.

[Peter K]

I purchased the book, Swainston's Fishes of Australia, a few years back for helping me ID smaller fish that I catch on rock walls etc, having spotted the fortescue in the book and reading the info on it compared to the bullrout I've found in my area (Georges RIver, Sydney). 

 

Below is a photo of one I caught, was only about 3-4cm. (In a small display tank). 

[ellicat]

Thanks for that. Looks like a good book.

[mangajack]

https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/2108#summary

I thought they had a bit larger habitat area...

Very common to get them after a rain period.

Aparently they grow to 35cm, the largest I have seen would be about 10cm.

 

[Junky]

They exist in the rapids in freshwater creeks outside of Cairns. 

I stood on one. 

Holy hell, what an experience. 

Big toe. I thought it was a piece of glass at first. 

Took a good half hr for the pain to set in. 

I had to go to hospital and get injected with something to numb the pain. Can't remember what it was but it gave me  instant relief, that is after 2hrs of wanting to cut my foot off. 

 

Horrible little fish. Give me a happy moment any day over a bullrout.