Pink Ling, <i>Genypterus blacodes</i> Click to enlarge image
A Pink Ling, Genypterus blacodes, caught of southern New South Wales by a commercial trawler in June 2002. Image: John Pogonoski
© John Pogonoski

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Genypterus
    Species
    blacodes
    Family
    Ophidiidae
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The Pink Ling grows to 1.6 m in length.

Introduction

The Pink Ling has an eel-like body and barbel-like pelvic fins that are positioned below the eye. The species resembles the Rock Ling, however it is pinkish to orange with a more diffuse mottled pattern. The jaw of the Pink Ling reaches the rear of the eye or just beyond whereas the Rock Ling's jaw extends well beyond the eye.

Identification

The Pink Ling has an eel-like body and barbel-like pelvic fins that are positioned below the eye.

The species resembles the Rock Ling, however it is pinkish to orange with a more diffuse mottled pattern. The jaw of the Pink Ling reaches the rear of the eye or just beyond whereas the Rock Ling's jaw extends well beyond the eye.

Distribution

In Australia it occurs in temperate marine waters from the central coast of New South Wales, around the south of the country to the south-western coast of Western Australia.

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

  • Gomon, M.F. in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
  • Yearsley, G.K., Last, P.R. & R.D. Ward. 1999. Australian Seafood Handbook, an identification guide to domestic species. CSIRO Marine Research. Pp. 461.