Habitat
The species is found from Cape Naturaliste, Western Australia, to Sydney, New South Wales, around Tasmania, and around the waters of New Zealand.
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Group IUCN · Least Concern (LC)
Leatherjacket
Meuschenia scabra, (Forster, 1801)
marine
Where to see itAbout Leatherjacket
The smooth leatherjacket or velvet leatherjacket (Meuschenia scabra) is a filefish of the family Monacanthidae, found off eastern Australia and all around New Zealand to depths of about 100 m (330 ft), on rocky weedy reef areas. Its length is between 25 and 31 cm (10 and 12 in). In New Zealand it is simply known as leatherjacket as it is the only fish of this family commonly found there, by the Māori language name kōkiri, or by its commercial name cream fish.
Behaviour
Leatherjackets have a hard, sandpaper-like exterior which they use as a defense mechanism, which causes the fish to swim slowly. Because of this, the diet of leatherjackets is atypical, focusing on slow-moving species such as sponges, sea squirts and barnacles.
Humans & conservation
Leatherjackets developed a reputation for being bold among Māori in New Zealand, who named the fish kōkiri, a Polynesian word used to describe species such as triggerfish. The fish was one of the most commonly found in middens from the archaic period of Māori history. Yellowfish liver was known as a delicacy among Māori.
The fish developed a poor reputation among early European fishermen in New Zealand, as the fish would often eat bait without being caught due to their small mouths. The fish were difficult to sell, with many fishmongers removing the heads and skin of fish. Over time, the name cream fish was adopted as a more palatable name for the fish, which boosted sales.
Species in this group
Where to see it
Top-rated dive sites where divers have spotted Leatherjacket.
Australia, Victoria, Mornington Peninsula Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park
World-famous shallow pier dive for seahorses and macro life.
Australia, Jervis Bay Jervis Bay Marine Park
Diverse shore dive with reefs, seagrass and unique macro life.
Australia, Sydney Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve
Accessible, biodiverse shore dive suitable for all levels.
Australia, Sydney Sydney Harbour Aquatic Reserve
Easy Sydney shore dive known for seahorses and macro.
Australia, Sydney North Harbour Aquatic Reserve
Sheltered harbour cove famous for seahorses and macro life.
Australia, Sydney Not in marine park
Spectacular wall dive famous for Weedy Seadragons and overhangs.
Australia, Rockingham Shoalwater Islands Marine Park
Accessible shore dive with multiple small wrecks and macro life.
Australia, Sydney Not in marine park
Sheltered Sydney shore dive famous for seahorses and macro.
Australia, Rockingham Shoalwater Islands Marine Park
Shallow jetty dive famous for incredible macro life.
New Zealand, Whangaparoa Peninsula Hauraki Gulf Marine Park
Temperate rocky reef dive with kelp forests near Auckland.
Australia, Sydney Not in marine park
Historic collier wreck sunk in Sydney Harbour's main channel.
Australia, Busselton Ngari Capes Marine Park (Busselton Jetty Sanctuary Zone)
Iconic jetty dive famous for pylons and macro life.
Australia, Sydney Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve
Protected, shallow shore dive perfect for macro life and beginners.
New Zealand, Hauraki Gulf Hauraki Gulf Marine Park
Hauraki Gulf island with rocky reefs and temperate marine life.
Shallow artificial reef, a premier site for octopus observation.
Australia, Tasmania, Tamar River Not in a formal marine park
Pleasant shore dive with seahorses in the Tamar estuary.
Australia, Perth Not in marine park
Excellent shallow shore dive for macro life and training.
Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip Bay Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park
Interact with a playful colony of Australian Fur Seals.
Rewarding wall dive with explorable cracks and rock formations.