Animal Species:Coral Cod, Cephalopholis miniata (Forsskal, 1775)

Identification

The Coral Cod can be recognised by its pattern of bright blue spots on an orange-red background. These spots are smaller than the size of the pupil, and cover the head, body and median fins. Juvenile Coral Cod are orange to yellow.

Size range

The species grows to 41 cm in length.

Distribution

The Coral Cod occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West and Central Pacific.

In Australia it is known from the central Western Australian coast, around the tropical north, and down the east coast to northern 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.

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Coral Cod specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The species is usually seen in caves and under ledges.

Classification

Species:

miniata

Genus:

Cephalopholis

Family:

Serranidae

Class:

Actinopterygii

Subphylum:

Vertebrata

Phylum:

Chordata

Kingdom:

Animalia

What does this mean?

References

1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
2. Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
4. Paxton, J.R., D.F. Hoese, G.R. Allen & J.E. Hanley. 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia Vol.7 Pisces Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra: Australian Biological Resources Survey. Pp. i-xii, 1-665.
5. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 507.

Last Updated: 15 September 2012

Tags fish, ichthyology, Coral Cod, Cephalopholis miniata, tropical water, marine, caves, ledges, bright blue spots, dots/spots, orange-red, 30 cm - 1 m,