Animal Species:Flagtail Rockcod, Cephalopholis urodeta (Forster, 1801)

The Flagtail Rockcod has two white diagonal bars on the caudal fin. The species occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West and Central Pacific.

Flagtail Rockcod, Cephalopholis urodeta

Flagtail Rockcod, Cephalopholis urodeta
Erik Schlögl © Erik Schlögl

Alternative Name/s

Chevron Rock-cod, Darkfin Hind, Duskyfin Hind, Flag-tailed Cod

Identification

The Flagtail Rockcod can be recognised by its colouration. It is reddish brown, usually darker posteriorly, often with six faint bars that cross the body and bifurcate ventrally. There are small orange-red spots on the head and nape, a pair of dark spots on the front of the lower lip and two white diagonal bars on the caudal fin.

Size range

The species grows to 27 cm in length.

Distribution

The species occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West and Central Pacific. In Australia it is known from south-western to north-western Western Australia and from the northern Great Barrier, Queensland.

Distribution by collection data

Biomaps map of Flagtail Rockcod specimens in the Australian Museum collection.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The species is found on coral reefs.

Classification

Species:
urodeta
Genus:
Cephalopholis
Family:
Serranidae
Order:
Perciformes
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. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  3. Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
  4. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Flagtail Rockcod, Cephalopholis urodeta, Serranidae,