Flowery Rockcod, Epinephelus fuscoguttatus (Forsskal, 1775)

Scientific name: Epinephelus fuscoguttatus
Alternative name/s:
Black Rock-cod, Brown-marbled Grouper, Brownmarbled Grouper, Carpet Cod, Carpet-cod, Flower Cod, Flower-cod, Flowery Cod
Similar species:
The Flowery Rockcod is often confused with the Small-toothed Cod, Epinephelus polyphekadion. The latter species has more distinct oblique bands, a larger spot on the caudal peduncle and fewer pectoral fin rays (16 to 17 versus 18 to 20).
Flowery Rockcod, Epinephelus fuscoguttatus Click to enlarge image
A Flowery Rockcod at a depth of 6m, Cod Hole, Lizard Island, Queensland, 14 June 2010. Image: William White
© William White

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Epinephelus
    Species
    fuscoguttatus
    Family
    Serranidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 90 cm in length.

Introduction

The Flowery Rockcod is light yellowish brown with large irregular-shaped dark blotches on the head, back and sides. The species occurs on coral and rocky reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific.

Identification

The Flowery Rockcod is light yellowish brown with large irregular-shaped dark blotches on the head, back and sides. The head, body and fins have small dark spots. There is a dark spot on the caudal peduncle.

Distribution

It occurs on coral and rocky reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific. In Australia it is known from the north-western coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country and south to southern 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

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  3. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.