Half-banded Seaperch

Eastern Wirrah

Black Cod

Half-banded Seaperch

Common Name: Half-banded Seaperch
Scientific Name: Hypoplectrodes maccullochi
Family: Serranidae
Found: QLD, NSW, VIC, TAS
Maximum Length: 20 cm

The Half-banded Seaperch is common in NSW and has a range from southern Queensland to the northeast tip of Tasmania. Found down to 50 metres they rest on their ventral fins around reefs and sponge beds. The Half-banded Seaperch is shy and so identification needs to be made quickly before they dart into narrow openings in the reef.

Half-banded Seaperch are reddish brown on the top part of the body fading to silver below. They have up to 7 dark vertical stripes that fade away to silver part way down the body. There is a white spot on the gill cover (operculum).

Confusing Species: Banded Seaperch

Found south from mid-coast NSW, Banded Seaperch grow much larger than Half-banded Seaperch – 30 cm compared to 15 cm – and have eyes that bulge over the top of the head. They have 4 dark vertical stripes that do not fade down the side of the body.

Eastern Wirrah

Common Name: Eastern Wirrah
Scientific Name: Acanthistius ocellatus
Family: Serranidae
Found: QLD, NSW, VIC, TAS
Maximum Length: 45 cm

Eastern Wirrahs are from the same family that includes rockcods, groupers and basslets and also includes the Half-banded Seaperch (see previous species). The Eastern Wirrah is a common resident in NSW waters. They can be found down to 100 metres but are also found on rocky reefs and in tidal pools estuaries. They are usually found in darker places such as caves and overhangs.

Eastern Wirrahs are deep-bodied with a green to yellow colouration. They have many blue spots over the body and the fins are also bluish. Juveniles have dark bands that radiate from the eye.

Confusing Species: None likely

Black Cod

Common Name: Black Cod
Scientific Name: Epinephelus daemelii
Family: Serranidae
Found: QLD, NSW
Maximum Length: 1.5 m

Black Cod are Australian endemic with a limited range from central Queensland to southern NSW. Found in coastal waters and around offshore islands including Lord Howe Island, they can also be found in estuaries. Sometimes known as the Saddled Rock-cod or Saddletail Grouper. They are territorial, slow moving and nocturnal. During the day they can be found in caves and under overhangs

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Light grey to darker grey with vertical dark bars that curve forward down the side of the body. Bars can be hard to see in larger fish. Normally a distinct dark saddle is visible on the caudal peduncle. In estuaries they are usually completely dark.

Confusing Species: Estuary Cod

Estuary Cod are also known as Brown-spotted Rockcod or Brown-spotted Grouper. Estuary Cod are found in northern NSW and are distributed north across the top of Australia to mid-coast WA. They have brown or orange spots all over and 5 patchy bars down their sides.