Stripey, Microcanthus strigatus (Cuvier 1831)

Other Names: Eastern Stripey, Footballer, Western Stripey

A Stripey, Microcanthus strigatus, at the Omeo Wreck, Coogee, Western Australia, December 2018. Source: Ray Turnbull / iNaturalist.org. License: CC by Attribution-NonCommercial

Summary:

A bright yellow deep-bodied fish with a rounded dorsal profile, oblique black stripes along the side extending onto the dorsal and anal fins, and a black stripe from the forehead to just behind the eye. The fifth body stripe is inflected toward the anal fin origin at an angle of 120–150°, and the lower abdomen usually has a broken stripe, as a series of 2–5 spots and short dashes.

Cite this page as:

Bray, D.J. 2022, Microcanthus strigatus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 27 May 2026, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/525

Quick Facts

CAAB Code:37361028

Conservation:IUCN Least Concern

Depth:0-300m (commonly 10-30m)

Habitat:Reef associated

Max Size:16 cm SL

Species Image Gallery

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Distribution	Cheynes Beach to Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia. Elsewhere, the species occurs in the Western-central Pacific: southern Japan, Korea, the eastern coast of China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, and Hawaii. Inhabits rocky and coral reefs in bays, harbours and coastal waters, sometimes forming large schools - commonly at depths of 10-30 m. Juveniles are often seen in tide pools, and adults often hang around jetty and wharf pylons.
Features	Dorsal fin XI,15–17; Anal fin III,13–15; Pectoral fin 15–17; Upper procurrent caudal-fin rays 8–9, lower procurrent caudal-fin rays 7–9; caudal fin total rays 32–35; Diagonal rows of scales in lateral series 48–57; Circumpeduncular scales 26–30; Gill rakers 16–17; branchiostegals 7. Body laterally compressed, moderately tall and roughly circular in lateral view, dorsal-fin origin to pelvic-fin origin 51.9–59.3% SL.
Feeding	Feeds on invertebrates and algae.
Similar Species	The East-Australian Stripey, Microcanthus joycae, differs in having a relatively straight fifth body stripe, without an inflection, and in lacking spots and short dashes on the breast and lower body.
Etymology	The specific name is from the Latin strigatus (= furrowed, grooved, strigate) in reference to the black stripes along the body.
Species Citation	Chaetodon strigatus Cuvier, in Cuvier & Valenciennes 1831, Histoire Naturelle des Poissons Vol. 7 25, pl. 170. Type locality: Japan.
Author	Bray, D.J. 2022
Resources	Atlas of Living Australia Australian Faunal Directory Catalog of Fishes

Stripey, Microcanthus strigatus (Cuvier 1831)