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Ling (Genypterus tigerinus) — Ophidiidae

Ling

Genypterus tigerinus
Family: Ophidiidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Ling (Genypterus tigerinus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Ophidiidae that grows up to 120 cm.

Length
120 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–60.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The rock ling is a large cusk-eel relative from coastal and estuarine water around southern Australia. The species grows to about 120 cm and has an elongate, eel-like body with long, continuous dorsal and anal fins and a tiger-like pattern of dark blotches. As a near-bottom predator it shelters by day among rocks, seagrass and wrecks and hunts fish, crustaceans and squid at night. It is a valued food fish. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ling?

The Ling has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Ling live?

The Ling lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Ling get?

The Ling grows to a maximum of about 120 cm.

Is the Ling dangerous to humans?

No, the Ling is harmless to humans.

Is the Ling edible?

Yes, the Ling is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gevlekte koningsklipvis verified
English name
Ling verified
Scientific name
Genypterus tigerinus
Family
Ophidiidae
Other names
Rock ling; Tiger ling verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
120.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
60.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Handlijnen en netten sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Ophidiidae

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