PORT PHILLIP BAY


Bearded Rock Cod 

Pseudophycis barbata Günther, 1863

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Meristics.
Dorsal fin spines/rays: 9-11; 53-63
Anal fin spines/rays: 47-63
Caudal fin rays: 24
Pectoral fin rays: 21-28
Ventral fin spines/rays: 5-6
Vertebrae: 48-51
Pyloric caeca: 16-20

Interpreting fin count meristics.
Spines are in Roman numerals and soft rays are in Arabic numerals. Spines and rays that are continuous in one fin are separated by a comma. Fin sections are separated by semicolons.

Detailed descriptions of fin count and other meristics are in:
Gomon. M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds) (2008) Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp.

Order level detail.
A diverse group of mostly benthopelagic fishes found worldwide. Gadiform fishes live in cool to cold water habitats ranging from the deep-sea to inshore coastal waters; two species live in freshwater. The group comprises 10 families and more than 600 species, including many commercially important cods, grenadiers and hakes. More than half the species belong to a single family, the Macrouridae, or grenadiers, the dominant benthopelagic fishes in deep slope waters of the world. Seven gadiform families occur in Australian waters.
Gadiform fishes have long-based dorsal and anal fins, pelvic fins usually inserted below or in front of the pectoral fins, mostly cycloid (smooth) scales and lack fin spines. Many species are bioluminescent.

Family level detail.
Body long, slender, tapering to a narrow caudal peduncle with a distinct symmetrical caudal fin. Morids lack fin spines, have reduced pelvic fins with widely separate fin bases positioned under the head, a chin barbel and two to three dorsal fins, the last usually long-based and sometimes divided into two parts. All have a unique connection between the front of the swimbladder and the sound receiving parts of the skull and brain.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Chordata
Subphylum:
Craniata
Superclass:
Gnathostomata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Gadiformes
Family:
Moridae
Genus:
Pseudophycis
Species:
barbata

General Description

Body robust, tapering gradually; head broad, chin with prominent barbel; first dorsal fin short-based, second dorsal fin and anal fin long-based. Greyish to brown, without distinct pale edges to fins. To 64 cm.

Biology

This species is active at night and often hides in caves during the day.

Habitat

Rocky reefs in bays and coastal waters, in depths of 1-275 m.

Reefs

Distribution guide

Southern Australia.

Species Group

Fishes › Cods

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

64 cm

Diet

Carnivore

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Not listed

Author

article author Bray, D.J.

Di Bray is a Senior Collection Manager of ichthyology at Museum Victoria.

Author

article author Gomon, M.F.

Dr. Martin Gomon is a Senior Curator of ichthyology at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. & Gomon, M.F., 2011, Bearded Rock Cod, Pseudophycis barbata, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 27 Jul 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/6304

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