The Fortesque (Centropogon australis) can be found along the east coast of Australia from the waters of southern Queensland to eastern Victoria. It belongs to the scorpionfishes family (Scorpaenidae). It can be found in estuaries and sheltered coastal bays on sandy/silty bottoms. It can be quite often found in sponge gardens within estuaries. Aggregations of the species have been observed (up to 30) where they gather over a sandy or muddy bottom. They occur in shallow waters and also down to depths of at least 30 metres. The Fortesque grows to a maximum size of approximately 15cm.
The dorsal spines of the Fortesque can deliver an exceptionally painful sting which can cause great pain and discomfort. If a person is unfortunate enough to get stung, immediate treatment is to place the stung hand/foot in hot water (as hot as the person can tolerate) to help relieve the pain and prevent the toxins spreading.
