Potato Rockcod, Epinephelus tukula (Morgans, 1959)

Scientific name: Epinephelus tukula
  • Updated
    16/04/21
  • Read time
    2 minutes
<i>Epinephelus tukula </i> Click to enlarge image
A Potato Rockcod at a depth of 15m, the "Cod Hole", Ribbon Reefs, north of Port Douglas, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, December 1999. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Epinephelus
    Species
    tukula
    Family
    Serranidae
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 2 m in length.

Introduction

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.

Habitat

It is found on coral reefs.

Distribution

It occurs throughout Indo-West Pacific.

In Australia it is known from off north-western Western Australia and the Great Barrier Reef. It's recorded as far south as Moreton Bay, Queensland.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. 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.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  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.