(Image credit: NSW DPI)

Rock blackfish are considered a reef dwelling NSW species that has a range that can extend from southern Queensland to northern and north east Tasmania. May reach sizes of 7 kg although usually about 2 kg in Tasmania. Identified by its dark bluish black colour, they have small mouths to enable them to feed on algae and invertebrates from the sea floor. Juveniles mottled and banded.

AKA: Black drummer

Length: Up to 76 cm

Habitat

Exposed reef; 0-25 m depth

Log it

In Tasmania, log if you spot it in the north-west, west or south of St Helens on the east coast
In Victoria, log if spotted west of Wilson's Promontory

Related links/info

Species names on the Redmap site are based on the Codes for Australian Aquatic Biota or CAAB (http://www.cmar.csiro.au/caab/). This is updated regularly and lists the approved common name, family, species name and more.

Redmap species descriptions were based, with permission, on the following books:

Australian Marine Life: The Plants and Animals of Temperate Waters by G. J. Edgar, Revised (2008) Reed Books, Melbourne

Fishes of Australia’s Southern Coast, Edited by M. Gomon. D. Bray and R. Kuiter (2008) Reed Books, Melbourne

Fishes of Tasmania by P. Last, E. Scott and F. Talbot (1983). Tasmanian Fisheries Development Authority, Hobart

Find further information and images at FISHES OF AUSTRALIA http://www.fishesofaustralia.net.au/