Bluespotted Rockcod (species: Cephalopholis cyanostigma) in Lizard Island area: all known taxa (Lizard Island Field Guide)
Cephalopholis cyanostigma
Bluespotted Rockcod


©Andy Lewis: An adult Bluespotted Rockcod

©Anne Hoggett: Cephalopholis cyanostigma at Pidgin Point, Lizard Island.

©Anne Hoggett: Juvenile Cephalopholis cyanostigma about 12 cm long at Clam Garden, Lizard Island.
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Actinopterygii
Order Perciformes
Family Serranidae
Genus Cephalopholis
Species Cephalopholis cyanostigma
Status least concern

Colours

                                  

Distinguishing features

A small to medium sized rock cod with a mottled reddish brown body, covered in fine blue dots. The juvenile is grey with a yellow dorsal, anal, and caudal fin. During the daytime usually seen singly resting in thick coral or near caves.

Size

  • Up to 40 cm (Standard length)

Depth range

  • Depth range data is not yet available.

Synonyms

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Distribution and habitat preferences

Areas of good coral cover in lagoons and other sheltered habitats.

Can be found in most locations around the island.

Behaviour

The Bluespotted Rockcod is likely to be a diandric protogynous hermaphrodite, based on known patterns of sexual devlepment in other species of Cephalopholis. Juvenile fishes can be male or female, and they retain these sexes until maturity. Additionally, mature females may change sex to become functional males. Large dominant males maintain and defend territories on the reef, containing a harem of females, juveniles and reproductively inactive adults. 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

  • Abdulla, A. (2004). Predator-prey interactions in coral reef fish: the implications of predation risk on the behaviour and growth of prey, Ph.D. thesis, James Cook University. LIRS catalog number 1296.
  • Becker, J.H.A. (2006). Interactions between cleaner shrimp and their client fishes on coral reefs, Ph.D. thesis, University of Queensland. LIRS catalog number 978.
  • Becker, J.H. and A.S. Grutter (2004). Cleaner shrimp do clean, Coral Reefs, 23: 515-520. LIRS catalog number 894.
  • View all references