Blacktip Rockcod, Epinephelus fasciatus (Forsskål, 1775)

Scientific name: Epinephelus fasciatus
Alternative name/s:
Black-tipped Rockcod, Red-barred Rockcod.
Epinephelus fasciatus Click to enlarge image
A Blacktip Rockcod at a depth of 23m, Ribbon Reef #3, Great Barrier Reef off Cooktown, Queensland, June 2002. Image: E. Schlögl
© E. Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Epinephelus
    Species
    fasciatus
    Family
    Serranidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 35 cm in length.
Epinephelus fasciatus
A Blacktip Rockcod at a depth of 22 m, Agincourt Reef, Great Barrier Reef off Port Douglas, Queensland, June 2002. Image: E. Schlögl
© E. Schlögl

Introduction

The Blacktip Rockcod can be recognised by the dark tips to the spinous dorsal fin. The species occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific.

Identification

The Blacktip Rockcod can be recognised by its colouration. It is grey to pinkish with five dusky to red bars on the body. The membrane separating the tips of the dorsal fin spines is black.

Distribution

It occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific. In Australia the Blacktip Rockcod is known from off the central coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north, and south to the central coast of New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  4. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.