Marine Fishes of South-East Asia. Gerry Allen

region. The larger species are important table fish at many localities and the small schooling members, for instance the numerous Anthias (or Fairy Basslets) no doubt play an important role in the reef’s food chain. Members of the genus Cephalopholis are small to medium-sized gropers (also know as Cods or Rockcods in Australia) that occur in a variety of coral reef habitats. The Coral Cod (5), with its bright red coat studded with blue spots, is among the most colourful species. It grows to a reported length of 41 cm and is most often encountered in clear water of outer reefs to depths of at least 150 m. Like most of the larger groupers it feeds mainly on small fishes, supplemented by crustaceans. Feeding occurs mainly during the early morning and mid afternoon. The favourite food appears to be small, schooling Anthias, which are skilfully captured with a quick head on rush.

      PLATE 23: GROPERS (FAMILY SERRANIDAE)

      1 RED-FLUSHED ROCKCOD

      Aethaloperca rogaa (Forsskål, 1775)

      Inhabits coral reefs in the vicinity of caves; distinguished by elevated shape of body, dark colouration and white edge on tail; N.W. Australia, Great Barrier Reef, and throughout S.E. Asia; Indo-W. Pacific; to 60 cm.

      ★★★

      2 BLUNT-HEADED ROCKCOD

      Epinephelus amblycephalus (Bleeker, 1857)

      Inhabits deeper offshore reefs; distinguished by 5 dark bars on body; N.W. Australia and throughout S.E. Asia; mainly Indo-Australian Archipelago; to 45 cm.

      ★★★

      3 YELLOW-SPOTTED ROCKCOD

      Epinephelus areolatus (Forsskål, 1775)

      Inhabits inshore reefs, usually around small coral heads in sandy areas or among sea grass; distinguished by dense pattern of large round spots and truncate (not rounded) tail; N.W∙ Australia and throughout S.E. Asia; Indo-W∙ Pacific; to 35 cm.

      ★★★

      4 OCELLATED ROCKCOD

      Epinephelus caeruleopunctatus (Bloch, 1790)

      Inhabits coral reefs, near caves and crevices; similar to 2 on Plate 24, but spots more uniformly round and smaller; N.W. Australia, Great Barrier Reef, and throughout S.E. Asia; Indo-W. Pacific; to 60 cm.

      ★★★

      5 CORAL ROCKCOD

      Epinephelus corallicola (Valenciennes, 1828)

      Inhabits shallow, silty reefs and estuaries; distinguished by round black spots on grey background; found throughout the region; W.Pacific; to 31cm.

      ★★★

      6 BLACK-TIPPED COD

      Epinephelus fasciatus (Forsskål, 1775)

      Inhabits coral reefs and rocky bottoms to 100 m depth; distinguished by reddish bars and narrow black border on front part of dorsal fin; found throughout the region; Indo-C. Pacific; to 40 cm.

      7 SPOTFIN ROCKCOD

      Epinephelus latifasciatus (Temminck & Schlegel, 1842)

      Inhabits sand and rock bottoms on the continental shelf between 20-200 m depth; distinguished by thin dark lines (or sometimes rows of faint spots) on sides, and spots on dorsal fin and tail; N.W. Australia; Indo-W. Pacific; to 70 cm.

      ★★★

      8 FLOWERY COD

      Epinephelus fuscoguttatus (Forsskål, 1775)

      Inhabits coral reefs and rocky bottoms; similar to 11 below, but irregular brown blotches on sides generally more diffuse and spot at upper base of tail smaller; best means of separation is higher pectoral fin ray count (18-20, usually 19); N.W. Australia, Great Barrier Reef, and throughout S.E. Asia; Indo-W. Pacific; to 90 cm.

      ★★★

      9 THREE-LINED ROCKCOD

      Epinephelus heniochus Fowler, 1904

      Inhabits offshore trawling grounds to at least 80 m depth; distinguished by overall pinkish-red colour and narrow stripes (often very faint) on head; N.W. Australia to Gulf of Carpentaria, also scattered localites in S.E. Asia; W. Pacific; to 30 cm.

      ★★★

      10 HONEYCOMB COD

      Epinephelus merra Bloch, 1793