The Cockatoo Waspfish (Ablabys taenianotus) is a small fish species that belongs to the scorpionfishes family (Scorpaenidae). It has a wide spread distribution through out the tropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific. It can be found from the Andaman Sea to Fiji around to Japan and south to the water of the Great Barrier Reef. One the east coast of Australia it has been found as far south as Sydney Harbour.
It has a red-brown body colour with a sail like dorsal fin. It can be found in shallower waters hiding amongst seagrasses. It appears that they attempt to mimic a leaf as they move back and forth with any surge like a leaf would on the bottom. It is generally more active at dusk and night when it is moving out about looking for prey. They grow to a maximum size of 10cm.
