Colours

Distinguishing features

A small rock cod covered with closely spaced brown blotches, becoming more widely spaced on the belly and smaller and more closely spaced on the head. Some of the blotches on the flanks are merged. Individuals can assume a colour pattern with vague dark vertical bands. Lower jaw projects beyond the upper one.

Size

Depth range

Synonyms

Similar taxa

Distribution

Distribution and habitat preferences

Areas of good coral cover on reef fronts, flats, and lagoonal and back reef patches.

Can be found in most locations around the island.

Behaviour

The Birdwire Rockcod is a common small Serranid at Lizard Island, and like others in the Family, it is a monandric protogynous hermaphrodite, with fish starting life as females and changing to male at 3-5 years of age. Spawning takes place during the summer months, shortly after the full moon. This species is an ambush predator, lying in wait for small fishes to venture close to its hiding place, before making a rapid attacking rush.

Web resources

References