Banded Reef Cod

Distinguished by having grey brown color shading to whitish, yellowish or pink ventrally; head and body with numerous small yellowish brown, orange brown or brown spots; in juveniles and subadult, five slightly oblique brown bars on body that bifurcate ventrally; ctenoid body scales except cycloid anterodorsally above lateral line and on thorax and abdomen; body with auxiliary scales; greatest depth of body 2.8-3.3 in SL; rounded caudal fin; pelvic fins 1.9-2.3 in head length (Ref. 90102); further characterized by having a slightly convex interorbital area and dorsal head profile; angular preopercle, serrae at the angle slightly enlarged; straight upper edge of operculum; subequal posterior and anterior nostrils; maxilla reaching about below rear third of eye or a little past eye; 2-3 rows of subequal teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw (Ref. 89707).

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 17; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 7 - 8

Inhabits shallow rocky areas and feeds on small fishes, prawns, crabs, worms, and gastropods (Ref. 5222). Also in Ref. 9137.

Inhabits shallow rocky areas and feeds on small fishes, prawns, crabs, worms, and gastropods (Ref. 89707). An excellent food fish and brings a good price. Solitary, found in rocky bottoms in 15-30 m (Ref 90102).

fisheries: commercial