ANIMAL SPECIES:Purple Rockcod, Epinephelus cyanopodus (Richardson, 1846)
The Purple Rockcod has a light blue-grey body, which is covered with fine black spots. The species is usually seen in lagoons and on coastal reefs around coral or rock outcrops. It lives in waters of 2 m to 150 m in depth.
Alternative Names/s
This species has also been called the Blue Maori or Blue Maori Cod.Identification
The Purple Rockcod can be recognised by its light blue-grey body, which is covered with fine black spots.
Size range
1 mDistribution
It occurs in tropical and subtropical marine waters throughout the Western Pacific.
In Australia it is known from the offshore reefs of north-western Western Australia and far northern Queensland south to the central coast of New South Wales.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Purple Rockcod specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
The species is usually seen in lagoons and on coastal reefs around coral or rock outcrops. It lives in waters of 2 m to 150 m in depth.
Classification
- Species:
- cyanopodus
- Genus:
- Epinephelus
- Family:
- Serranidae
- Order:
- Perciformes
- 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.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Crawford House Press. Pp. 437.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- 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.
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Purple Rockcod, Epinephelus cyanopodus View full size
David and Leanne Atkinson
© David and Leanne Atkinson
A Purple Rockcod at Fly Point View full size
David and Leanne Atkinson
© David and Leanne Atkinson
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