Rock Ling, Genypterus tigerinus Klunzinger, 1872

Scientific name: Genypterus tigerinus
Alternative name/s:
Ling, Rockling, Tiger Ling
Similar species:
The Rock Ling looks similar to the Pink Ling, Genypterus blacodes.
Rock Ling, <i>Genypterus tigerinus</i> Click to enlarge image
A Rock Ling, Genypterus tigerinus, at a depth of 7 m, Rapid Bay Jetty, South Australia, 19 January 2008. Image: Phil Mercurio
© Phil Mercurio

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Genypterus
    Species
    tigerinus
    Family
    Ophidiidae
    Order
    Ophidiiformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 1.2 m in length.

Introduction

The Rock Ling has an elongate body with an eel-like tail. It occurs in temperate marine waters of the south-western Pacific.

Identification

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.

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.

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.

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. 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.
  2. Gomon, M.F., Bray, D. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 2008. The Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Reed New Holland. Pp. 928.
  3. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  5. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  6. Yearsley, G.K., Last, P.R. & R.D. Ward. 1999. Australian Seafood Handbook, an identification guide to domestic species. CSIRO Marine Research. Pp. 461.