|
RED ROCKCOD FACTS |
Description
Bright red colour, but is highly variable, ranging from light grey to bright red with blotches. The chest usually has small dark spots. There are skin flaps on the head, lateral line and other parts of the body. These help to disguise the shape of the fish. Body size up to 40 cm.
It has cryptic colouration, enabling it blend into its surrounds. It is a predatory fish, often lying motionless on the bottom waiting for passing prey of small fishes and invertebrates. Its large mouth allows it to swallow its prey whole so, within reason, the bigger the mouth, the larger the prey item that can be consumed. The bony ridge running below the eye may help to protect the eyes, but its true function remains unclear. It is a relatively long-lived species. It is very common in shallow coastal waters around Sydney and is commonly seen by divers as it lies motionless on the bottom, usually moving only when disturbed.
Author credit: Mark McGrouther / Australian Museum
Habitat
Marine, estuarine and even fresh waters, often found with sponges and in rocky areas covered with algae.
Food
Carnivore
Range
Eastern Australia
Species Description is from Museums Field Guide, Atlas of Living Australia at website at https://lists.ala.org.au Licensed under Creative Commons Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Classification
| Class: | Actinopterygii | | Order: | Scorpaeniformes | | Family: | Scorpaenidae | | Genus: | Scorpaena | | Species: | cardinalis | | Common Name: | Red Rockcod |
|
|
