ANIMAL SPECIES:Rock Ling, Genypterus tigerinus Klunzinger, 1872
The Rock Ling has an elongate body with an eel-like tail. It occurs in temperate marine waters of the south-western Pacific.
Alternative Name/s
Ling, Rockling, Tiger LingIdentification
The Rock Ling has an elongate body with an eel-like tail. Its jaw extends well behind the eye when the mouth is closed. The pelvic fins are positioned below the eye. It is white to grey with dark mottling.
Size range
The species grows to 1.2 m in length.Similar Species
The Rock Ling looks similar to the Pink Ling, Genypterus blacodes.Distribution
The species occurs in temperate marine waters of the south-western Pacific. In Australia it is known from the central New South Wales coast around the south of the country to south-western Western Australia.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Rock Ling specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
The Rock Ling is found in caves and crevices in shallow marine waters down to a depth of about 60 m. Juveniles live in estuaries.
Classification
- Species:
- tigerinus
- Genus:
- Genypterus
- Family:
- Ophidiidae
- Order:
- Ophidiiformes
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
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.
- Gomon, M.F., Bray, D. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 2008. The Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Reed New Holland. Pp. 928.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
- Yearsley, G.K., Last, P.R. & R.D. Ward. 1999. Australian Seafood Handbook, an identification guide to domestic species. CSIRO Marine Research. Pp. 461.
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Rock Ling, Genypterus tigerinus View full size
Phil Mercurio
© Phil Mercurio
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