| Saddletail grouper | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Serranidae |
| Genus: | Epinephelus |
| Species: | E. daemelii |
| Binomial name | |
| Epinephelus daemelii (Günther, 1876) |
|
Epinephelus daemelii, known as black cod or black rock-cod in Australia, and as saddle-tailed grouper or spotted black groper in New Zealand, is a large marine fish of the family Serranidae. Black cod is found off the coastline of south-eastern Australia and northern New Zealand, generally inhabiting near-shore rock and coral reefs at depths down to 50 metres. Its main range comprises the coastline of the Australian state of New South Wales; New Zealand populations are suspected to be non-breeding, and a result of drifting larvae.
Black cod grows to 200 centimetres in length and at least 68 kilograms in weight. The species is a generalised carnivore, preying on crustaceans and fish. It has a typical groper appearance. Colouration varies from a dark grey-black colour to the more usual blotched or banded black and white pattern.
The species is a protogynous hermaphrodite, with individuals starting as females and changing to males at an estimated 100–110 centimetres in length and 29–30 years of age.
Drastic but localised declines in black cod stocks around heavily populated areas were first noted in the early 1900s. However, in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, black cod populations suffered a very severe decline due to the rise in popularity of spear fishing. The species was heavily targeted by spear fishermen and caught in large quantities. Due to the species' large size, slowness, curiosity and territorial habits, and use of inshore habitats, it was extremely vulnerable to spear fishing. Fishing for or taking the species became illegal in 1983 in all New South Wales waters under New South Wales fisheries legislation but the species has largely failed to recover. New South Wales has since listed black cod as a vulnerable species.