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Maori rockcod (Epinephelus undulatostriatus) — Serranidae

Maori rockcod

Epinephelus undulatostriatus
Family: Serranidae

The Maori rockcod (Epinephelus undulatostriatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 61 cm.

Length
61 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
27.0–80.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Maori rockcod is a grouper (Epinephelidae) from reef water of coastal waters of eastern Australia. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a robust, brown with wavy pale lines body with a large mouth. As a bottom-oriented ambush hunter it shelters among rocks and coral and engulfs fish and crustaceans with a sudden suction strike. Like many groupers a female changes sex on loss of the male. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Maori rockcod?

The Maori rockcod has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Maori rockcod live?

The Maori rockcod lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Maori rockcod get?

The Maori rockcod grows to a maximum of about 61 cm.

Is the Maori rockcod dangerous to humans?

No, the Maori rockcod is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Maori rockcod edible?

Yes, the Maori rockcod is commonly eaten.

More photos

Maori rockcod (Epinephelus undulatostriatus) — Serranidae — 2
braydenmcshane (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Maori rockcod (Epinephelus undulatostriatus) — Serranidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) mattdowse, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Maori rockcod (Epinephelus undulatostriatus) — Serranidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) John Sear, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Maori rockcod (Epinephelus undulatostriatus) — Serranidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Simon Thomas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Maori rockcod sourced
Scientific name
Epinephelus undulatostriatus
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Maori cod; Maori groper; Maori grouper; Maori rockcod; Red-speckled rock-cod; Scribbled rockcod verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
61.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
27.0 verified
Max depth (m)
80.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates 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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Epinephelus

More from the family Serranidae

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