Red morwong facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red morwong |
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| Drawing by Dr Tony Ayling | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Latridae
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| Genus: |
Morwong
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| Species: |
M. fuscus
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| Binomial name | |
| Morwong fuscus (Castelnau, 1879)
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The red morwong (Morwong fuscus) is a type of morwong fish. You can find it off the coast of southeast Australia and the North Island of New Zealand. These fish live in rocky reef areas and along the coast. They are found from shallow waters down to at least 55 meters deep. A red morwong usually grows to be between 30 and 60 centimeters long.
Contents
What is a Red Morwong?
The red morwong is a fish known for its reddish color. It belongs to a group of fish called morwongs. They are often seen swimming near rocky reefs. These reefs provide good places for them to find food and shelter.
Where Do Red Morwongs Live?
Red morwongs live in the waters around Australia and New Zealand. They prefer coastal areas where the seabed is rocky. This habitat gives them places to hide and hunt for food. They can live in both shallow and deeper parts of the ocean.
How Scientists Study Fish
Scientists classify animals into different groups. This helps them understand how living things are related. For a long time, the red morwong was placed in the Cheilodactylus group.
New Discoveries in Fish Families
In the early 2000s, scientists started using DNA to study fish. DNA is like a blueprint for living things. These studies showed that the red morwong was actually more closely related to fish in the Nemadactylus group. This was a surprise!
Because of these new findings, scientists decided to change the red morwong's group. Now, many experts suggest using the name Morwong for this fish. This shows how science is always learning new things.
Images for kids
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A young Red Morwong, Morwong fuscus, at Red Rock Estuary, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales
