D 13-15, A 2, C 10, P 7-10 R 7-10 + 49-59 SDR 0.0 + 2.5-4.0 = 2.5-4.0 Snout 27-36% head length OR longitudinal ridge 50% B:T tail slightly longer. Length 10cm. The specimen shown on this page was 6cm long and was a female, the median dorsal snout ridge is elevated in males.

Range: Found from Narrung, Southern Queensland, common in NSW with scattered populations across southern Australia. Because of the wide geographical range of U. carinirostris from southern Queensland to Perth there may be a number of species. There are very few records from South Australia and further surveys followed by molecular comparison across the range of U. carinirostris are needed. Kuiter 2003 (pers com) says "The morphology of species living in southern Queensland are similar to those in southern Tasmania, and from a purely taxonomic point of view are the same. However, from a biological one, these fishes are not compatible. When taking this into account, looking at colouration etc, I would regard these as different species".

Distribution: Inhabits Zostera seagrass and algal-rubble reefs to 5m depth.

The 6cm female specimen shown below was found in seagrass with a shell substrate near Ceduna, western Eyre Peninsula, South Australia, and has been preserved for molecular phylogenetic studies. It is interesting that the only museum record of U. carinirostris from South Australia was from the same area. This species may be a relic in South Australia.

Detailed images by Kevin Smith and Michael Hammer.