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Rock cale (Aplodactylus lophodon) — Aplodactylidae

Rock cale

Aplodactylus lophodon

The Rock cale (Aplodactylus lophodon) is a saltwater fish of the family Aplodactylidae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–10.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The rock cale is an algae-eating reef fish (Aplodactylidae) from coastal waters of southeastern Australia. The species grows to about 45 cm and has an elongate, brown-green body with irregular dark blotches and lips adapted to grazing. As a bottom-oriented herbivore it scrapes algae from rocky reefs in the shallow surf zone with its mouth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Rock cale?

The Rock cale has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly green and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Rock cale live?

The Rock cale lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Rock cale get?

The Rock cale grows to a maximum of about 45 cm.

Is the Rock cale dangerous to humans?

No, the Rock cale is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Rotsschraper sourced
English name
Rock cale sourced
Scientific name
Aplodactylus lophodon
Family
Aplodactylidae
Other names
Cocky; Joey; Rock cale; Rock cocky; Sea carp verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
45.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
10.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Aplodactylus

More from the family Aplodactylidae

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