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Blue-finned rock cod (Cephalopholis microprion) — Serranidae

Blue-finned rock cod

Cephalopholis microprion
Family: Serranidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blue-finned rock cod (Cephalopholis microprion) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–52.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The freckled hind is a small grouper of the family Serranidae from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a dark, red-brown to blackish body with fine blue spots on the head. Adults inhabit shallow, often silty reefs, midshelf lagoons and back reefs. As an ambush predator it feeds on small fishes and crustaceans. Like many groupers it is a protogynous hermaphrodite, starting as a female. The species is a local food fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue-finned rock cod?

The Blue-finned rock cod has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Blue-finned rock cod live?

The Blue-finned rock cod lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Blue-finned rock cod get?

The Blue-finned rock cod grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Blue-finned rock cod dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue-finned rock cod is harmless to humans.

Is the Blue-finned rock cod edible?

Yes, the Blue-finned rock cod is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vrijwel-zwarte koraalbaars sourced
English name
Blue-finned rock cod verified
Scientific name
Cephalopholis microprion
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Coral cod; Dothead rockcod; Dot-head rockcod verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
52.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Cephalopholis

More from the family Serranidae

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