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Bar rockcod (Hyporthodus septemfasciatus) — Serranidae

Bar rockcod

Hyporthodus septemfasciatus
Family: Serranidae
DD · Data Deficient

The Bar rockcod (Hyporthodus septemfasciatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 155 cm.

Length
155 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northwest Pacific; rocky coastal reefs.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The sevenband grouper is a large grouper (Epinephelidae) from the northwestern Pacific. The species has a robust, dark body with seven broad, dark crossbars in younger animals. It lives near shore, including in semi-enclosed sea areas, on rocky reefs in fairly shallow water. As an ambush hunter it takes fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods. It is a valued food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bar rockcod?

The Bar rockcod has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Younger fish with seven broad vertical bars; protogynous reef ambush predator and food fish.

Where does the Bar rockcod live?

The Bar rockcod lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Northwest Pacific; rocky coastal reefs.

How big does the Bar rockcod get?

The Bar rockcod grows to a maximum of about 155 cm.

Is the Bar rockcod dangerous to humans?

No, the Bar rockcod is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Bar rockcod edible?

Yes, the Bar rockcod is commonly eaten.

More photos

Bar rockcod (Hyporthodus septemfasciatus) — Serranidae — 2
B. Hutchins, Western Australian Museum (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Bar rockcod (Hyporthodus septemfasciatus) — Serranidae — 3
P.C. Heemstra (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Bar rockcod (Hyporthodus septemfasciatus) — Serranidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) 田所浩二, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bar rockcod (Hyporthodus septemfasciatus) — Serranidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) dragon_k, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Bar rockcod verified
Scientific name
Hyporthodus septemfasciatus
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Convict grouper; Convict rockcod; Sevenband grouper; Seven-banded grouper verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
155.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Northwest Pacific; rocky coastal reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Younger fish with seven broad vertical bars; protogynous reef ambush predator and food fish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Hyporthodus

More from the family Serranidae

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