The Red Morwong (Cheilodactylus fuscus) belongs to the Morwong family Cheilodactylidae. It is found along the east coast of Australia from Moreton Bay in Queensland down along the entire coast of New South Wales to eastern Victoria. It has also been recorded in the waters of north-eastern New Zealand. The Red Morwong is the most common morwong species found along the New South Wales coast and it is regularly seen on coastal reefs and in estuaries and bays. It is also found on offshore deeper reefs down to depths of 40 metres.
This species easily identified by its red upper body and pale white under body. There are several white bands at the base of the caudal fin and a pair of small horn like appendages just above the eyes. Aggregations of Red Morwong are often observed sitting around rocky outcrops or in mid water. The Red Morwong is a favourite target of spearfishers because of their large abundance, good size and they are a slow moving species. However, they are rarely caught by line fishers as they generally do not take a baited hook.
The Red Morwong grows to a maximum length of approximately 60cm.
