Unique to southern Australia, the Old Wife Enoplosus armatus looks for all the world like a black and white angelfish from a tropical reef. However, old wives are thought to be related to the boarfishes found in southern waters.
The long spines supporting the tall dorsal fins of the Old Wife can inject painful venom into a careless handler, causing swelling and discomfort. This characteristic is reflected in the species name armatus, meaning ‘armed’.
Old Wife, Enoplosus armatus
Photographer: Rudie Kuiter. Source: Aquatic Photographics
Old Wives are especially common on inshore algal reefs and around the pylons of piers and jetties. They often form large schools and individuals have been seen to set up “cleaning stations” where they remove parasites from the bodies of other fishes.
The Old Wife is more of a danger to marine aquarists who collect their own fish, than to fishers, as its small mouth is not especially suited for taking fish bait.
Further Reading
Edmonds, C. 1989. Dangerous Marine Creatures. Reed, Sydney.
Gomon, M. F., Glover, C. J. M. and Kuiter, R. H. (eds). Fishes of Australia’s South Coast. State Print, Adelaide.
Halstead, B. W. 1970. Poisonous and venomous marine animals of the world. Volume 3. US Goverment Printing Office, Washington DC.
Paxton, J. R. and Eschmeyer, W. N. (Eds). 2003. Encyclopedia of Fishes. 3rd Edition. Fog City Press, San Francisco.
Sutherland, S. & Sutherland, J. 1999. Venomous Creatures of Australia. Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, Victoria.