Bluelined Rockcod, Cephalopholis formosa (Shaw & Nodder, 1812)
Scientific name: Cephalopholis formosa
Alternative name/s:
Bluelined Hind, Blue-lined Rockcod
Bluelined Hind, Blue-lined Rockcod
Click to enlarge image
A Blue-lined Rockcod at a depth of 15m, Mak Chantik, Redang, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, April, 2001.
Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Cephalopholis
- Species
- formosa
- Family
- Serranidae
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- It grows to 34 cm in length.
Introduction
The Bluelined Rockcod is a tropical species that can be recognised by its distinctive colouration.
Identification
The Bluelined Rockcod is a dark yellow-brown with blue lines on the head, body and fins. There are blue spots on the snout, lower part of the head and thorax.
Distribution
The species occurs in tropical marine waters of the East-Indo-West Pacific.
In Australia it is known from north-western Western Australia and possibly the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.
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
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- Heemstra, P.C. & J.E. Randall. 1993. Groupers of the World. (Family Serranidae, Subfamily Epinephelinae). An Annotated and Illustrated Catalogue of Grouper, Rockcod, Hind, Coral Grouper and Lyretail Species Known to Date. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 16. FAO. Rome. Pp. 382.
- Heemstra, P.C. & J.E. Randall. Serranidae in Carpenter, K.E. & V.H. Niem. 1999. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 4. Bony fishes part 2 (Mugilidae to Carangidae). FAO. Rome Pp. iii-v, 2069-2790.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
