Sixspine and Yellowfin Leatherjacket

[aeb870]

To me most leatherjackets tend to look similar and I always thought some day I will try and work out the difference.

I caught both of these under the harbour bridge (Luna Park side). To me they both look like a Yellowfin Leatherjacket but looking at the photos when I got home I am starting to doubt myself.

Also caught a third leatherjacket which was definitely a Fanbelly.

Fish 1

Fish 2

[Blackfish]

I'm with you Steve,

First is a Juvenile Six Spine and second is a Yellowfin.

Both Sixspine and Yellowfin have spines near the tail, Sixspine are more pronounced.

[Yowie]

Fish 2 is a yellow fin jacket.

Not sure on fish 1, have caught a few over the years, has a smoother skin than most other jackets.

[aeb870]

My guess was originally the other way around. I googled a few photos and managed to identify Fish 1 as a yellowfin, but then Fish 2 just threw me off as it had different shades, colour and no lines on the side of the head when compared to the first one.

[NaClH2OK9]

There are over 50 species of jackets in Australia. Most have major colour differences between m/f and many have significant morphs.

I'm not convinced both pics are the same species.

Fish 1 has characteristics of a juvenile female 6 spine. But I'm still researching

It's difficult to zoom in on the photo.

Are there hints of spines near the tail or is that dirt?

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Edited April 10, 2016 by NaClH2OK9

[aeb870]

There are over 50 species of jackets in Australia. Most have major colour differences between m/f and many have significant morphs.

I'm not convinced both pics are the same species.

Fish 1 has characteristics of a juvenile female 6 spine. But I'm still researching

It's difficult to zoom in on the photo.

Are there hints of spines near the tail or is that dirt?

Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk

Both fish had spines near the tail, I noticed this when I caught them and tried inspecting for clues.

I have just had a another look at the original photos, Fish 1 has 6 spines. Fish 2 has approx. 4 spines.

[NaClH2OK9]

The six spine can have four spines too sometimes!!

Good eating Imo when they get bigger.

If she turns into a big male the colours change again..

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Edited April 10, 2016 by NaClH2OK9

[aeb870]

I knew this task I took on wasn't going to be easy but as of late I just grew super curious about the different species.

I have just cropped the tail section of the original images in better quality.

Fish 1

Fish 2

[aeb870]

The 2 fish were approximately 30cms, but I wasn't too keen taking fish from the harbour and as a result these ones weren't eaten.

[Blackfish]

The lines on the face make the first one a Six Spine for me.

[aeb870]

Thanks for the responses. Until proven otherwise, I will take Fish 1 as a Six spine and Fish 2 as a Yellowfin.