Fish
Yellowbelly Rockcod
Epinephelus guaza
A greyish reef grouper with a distinctly yellow to whitish belly and scattered white blotches, its fin margins often flushed golden.
Also known as geelpens- klipkabeljou, rockcod, yellowbelly
- Habitat
- Reef and rocky bottom
The yellowbelly rockcod is grey or brown above and yellow to whitish below, usually with irregular white blotches over the body and head, sometimes lined up in vertical rows. The spiny dorsal margin and the bases of the anal and paired fins often show golden yellow, while the median fins run dark brown and the tail carries a white rear edge.
A deeply notched dorsal fin between the spines and ctenoid to smooth flank scales help set it apart. It is a structure-loving grouper that holds to reef and rocky ground.