Potato Rockcod, Epinephelus tukula (Morgans, 1959)

ANIMAL SPECIES:Potato Rockcod, Epinephelus tukula (Morgans, 1959)

The Potato Rockcod can grow to an alarming 2m in length, with a weight of about 100kg. In some areas it was common for divers to feed these large fish and this practice has resulted in some individuals boldly approaching divers underwater.

Identification

The Potato Rockcod is grey-brown with large dark brown spots on the body. It has small spots on the head and lines from the back of the eye.

Size range

The species grows to 2 m in length.

Distribution

It occurs throughout Indo-West Pacific.

In Australia it is known from off north-western Western Australia and the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.

Distribution by collection data

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

What does this mean?

Habitat

It is found on coral reefs.

Classification

Species:: tukula
Genus:: Epinephelus
Family:: Serranidae
Class:: Actinopterygii
Subphylum:: Vertebrata
Phylum:: Chordata
Kingdom:: Animalia

What does this mean?

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.
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.

Last Updated: 11 June 2009

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