Black Cod (Epinephelus daemelii)

The Black Cod (Epinephelus daemelii), (Gunther 1876) has been protected in NSW since 1983 and is listed as a vulnerable species under the threatened species provisions of the NSW Fisheries Management Act 1994. The black cod is a large reef dwelling grouper species belonging to the family Serranidae. In Australia the black cod is also known as black rockcod or saddled rock cod, and in New Zealand it is generally referred to as spotted black grouper.

The colour pattern of black cod is highly variable, and can change quickly from a uniform dark grey-black to a blotched or distinctively banded dark and light pattern. Young black cod often have a number of distinct black markings that tend to fade as the fish grows. These markings include a distinct black spot or saddle just forward of the tail, and five dark diagonal sloping grey to black bars which generally fade towards the belly. Some black cod have small black spots and occasional whitish blotches on the body and/or fins. Black cod are found along the entire New South Wales coast and are most common in the waters off northern NSW.

Black Cod can grow up to 2 metres in length but are more commonly seen around 1 to 1.5 metres in size.