Bluelined Rockcod, Cephalopholis formosa (Shaw & Nodder, 1812)

Scientific name: Cephalopholis formosa
Alternative name/s:
Bluelined Hind, Blue-lined Rockcod
  • Updated
    25/01/21
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Blue-lined Rockcod, Cephalopholis formosa Click to enlarge image
A Blue-lined Rockcod at a depth of 15m, Mak Chantik, Redang, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, April, 2001. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Cephalopholis
    Species
    formosa
    Family
    Serranidae
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    It grows to 34 cm in length.

Introduction

The Bluelined Rockcod is a tropical species that can be recognised by its distinctive colouration.

Identification

The Bluelined Rockcod is a dark yellow-brown with blue lines on the head, body and fins. There are blue spots on the snout, lower part of the head and thorax.

Bluelined Rockcod, Cephalopholis formosa
Blue-lined Rockcod, Cephalopholis formosa
Blue-lined Rockcod, Cephalopholis formosa

Distribution

The species occurs in tropical marine waters of the East-Indo-West Pacific.

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

Distribution data sourced from the 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. Heemstra, P.C. & J.E. Randall. 1993. Groupers of the World. (Family Serranidae, Subfamily Epinephelinae). An Annotated and Illustrated Catalogue of Grouper, Rockcod, Hind, Coral Grouper and Lyretail Species Known to Date. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 16. FAO. Rome. Pp. 382.
  3. Heemstra, P.C. & J.E. Randall. Serranidae in Carpenter, K.E. & V.H. Niem. 1999. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 4. Bony fishes part 2 (Mugilidae to Carangidae). FAO. Rome Pp. iii-v, 2069-2790.
  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.