Sergeant Baker (Aulopus purpurissatus)

The Sergeant Baker Aulopus purpurissatus is a reasonably common species in south eastern Australian waters and can be seen on inshore and deep coastal reefs as well as inshore estuarine systems. The Sergeant Baker grows to a maximum size of approximately 60 cm. They are a benthic species that are usually found lying on the bottom of sandy and rocky reefs. They prey on other fishes and swimming invertebrates. You can determine the sex of the Sergeant Baker by the Males having a much longer ray on the first dorsal fin than the females. The Saregent Baker in the image above is a male as illustarted by the long dorsal find on top of the fish.