ANIMAL SPECIES:Peacock Rockcod, Cephalopholis argus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
The Peacock Rockcod is brown to greenish. It has numerous small dark-margined blue spots on the head, body and fins. There is a pale area in front of the pectoral fins and sometimes five or six pale bars on the rear of the body.
Identification
The Peacock Rockcod is brown to greenish. It has numerous small dark-margined blue spots on the head, body and fins. There is a pale area in front of the pectoral fins and sometimes five or six pale bars on the rear of the body.
Size range
The species grows to 45cm in length.Distribution
The Peacock Rockcod occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific.
In Australia it is known from the central coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north and south to the central Queensland coast and reefs.
Living with us
Economic/social impacts
It may be responsible for some cases of ciguatera poisoning.
Classification
- Species:
- argus
- Genus:
- Cephalopholis
- Family:
- Serranidae
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- 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.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
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A Peacock Rockcod at 'The Cod Hole' View full size
Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
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