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Western rock blackfish (Girella tephraeops) — Kyphosidae

Western rock blackfish

Girella tephraeops
Family: Kyphosidae

The Western rock blackfish (Girella tephraeops) is a saltwater fish of the family Kyphosidae that grows up to 61 cm.

Length
61 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–20.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The western rock blackfish is a sea-chub (Girellidae) from temperate reef waters of southern and western Australia. The species grows to about 60 cm and has a deep, dark-grey to brown-black body. As a reef-dweller it lives around rocky shores and in the surf and grazes mainly weed and algae, supplemented with small invertebrates. It is a valued sport and food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Western rock blackfish?

The Western rock blackfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly black.

Where does the Western rock blackfish live?

The Western rock blackfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Western rock blackfish get?

The Western rock blackfish grows to a maximum of about 61 cm.

Is the Western rock blackfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Western rock blackfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Westelijke zwartvis sourced
English name
Western rock blackfish sourced
Scientific name
Girella tephraeops
Family
Kyphosidae
Other names
Rock blackfish; Western rock blackfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
61.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Black sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Girella

More from the family Kyphosidae

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