Rock cod facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rock cod |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
|
The rock cod (Lotella rhacina) is a type of fish that lives in cool, "temperate" waters. You can find them off the coasts of southeastern Australia, Tasmania, and even up the southwestern Australian coast. They also live around New Zealand and California.
Even though they are called "rock cod," these fish are not closely related to the "true" cod fish you might know. They belong to a different fish family called Moridae. In Australia, people sometimes call them "beardie" because of the special whiskers they have!
Contents
What Does a Rock Cod Look Like?
Rock cod can be different colors. They might be yellow-grey or even red-brown. Their fins often have white edges, which makes them stand out.
Special Features of the Rock Cod
One of the coolest things about the rock cod is its "beard." They have special whiskers, called barbels, on their chin. These barbels help them feel around and find food in the water.
Rock cod can grow to be quite big, up to 50 centimeters (about 20 inches) long. That's almost as long as your arm!
Where Do Rock Cod Live?
Rock cod love to live in rocky places. You can often find them hiding in caves in bays and along coastal reefs. They usually stay in shallow waters, not too far from the shore.
Rock Cod Habitat and Depth
These fish prefer the "continental shelf," which is the part of the ocean floor that slopes gently away from the land. They usually live at depths from 10 to 90 meters (about 33 to 295 feet). That's like diving down to the bottom of a really tall building!
Other Fish Called 'Rock Cod'
It can be a bit confusing because many other fish species are also sometimes called 'rock cod.' However, most of these other fish are not related to the true cod family at all. Many of them are actually a type of fish known as groupers.
