Black Rockcod

Scientific name

Epinephelus daemelii

Status in NSW

Vulnerable.

Characteristics

Juveniles and sub-adults have a distinct black 'saddle' shaped spot just in front of the tail
Five irregular grey or black stripes. These markings tend to fade as the fish grows and may be only faintly visible in adults
Large canine teeth in both jaws
Highly variable in colour depending on the environment. Fish in coastal reefs are usually banded and mottled in colour, while those in estuaries are uniformly dark, sometimes black

Species similar in appearance

Queensland Groper, Bar Rockcod and the Estuary Cod.

Size

Adult Black Rockcod can grow to 2 m in length and at least 80 kg in weight, but it is more common to see smaller fish (up to 1m/30kg).

Distribution

The species is found in warm temperate and subtropical parts of the south-western Pacific. In NSW, it occurs along the coast, including Lord Howe Island.

Report a Black Rockcod sighting

Did you know?
The Black Rockcod is a protogynous hermaphrodite. It starts as a female and changes to a male at around 100–110 cm in length and 30 years of age!

Habitat

The Black Rockcod is a territorial species that inhabits caves, gutters and crevices. They are usually found in depths up to 50 m, although individuals have been collected from below 100 m. Juveniles are found inshore, often in coastal rockpools and estuaries.

Why is the Black Rockcod threatened?

Black Rockcod populations have been significantly reduced over time due to a number of factors including

Past overharvesting by line, net and spearfishers
Hooking and handling injuries as a result of accidental hookings
Loss or degradation of estuarine and intertidal nursery habitats
Overfishing of larger males before species protection was put in place in 1983 may have impaired subsequent recruitment and recovery