Flagtail Rockcod, Cephalopholis urodeta (Forster, 1801)
Chevron Rock-cod, Darkfin Hind, Duskyfin Hind, Flag-tailed Cod
Click to enlarge image
© Erik Schlögl
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Cephalopholis
- Species
- urodeta
- Family
- Serranidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- The species grows to 27 cm in length.
Introduction
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.
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.
A Flagtail Rockcod at a depth of 8m, Mantis Reef, outside Wall, far northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, November 2001.
Image: Erik Schlögl© Erik Schlögl
Habitat
The species is found on coral reefs.
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.
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.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
