Species common to New South Wales and south to Victoria. Rare in Tasmania, sightings are limited to the Kent Group islands.

Generally the rock cale has no teeth, a rounded nose or snout and small white spots on their fins and sides. Likes to feed in shallow waters and protects itself from big swell by lodging itself in rock crevices.
MALE: Colour varies from dark grey, to olive-brown and black
FEMALE: Colour varies from dark grey to brown
JUVELILE: Juveniles have a white patch on the gill cover or opercle.

AKA: Cockatoofish, Rock Cocky, Joey
Family APLODACTYLIDAE known as marble fishes
Habitat: Shallow reef
Size: under 50cm usually approximately 35cm.
Image: G.Edgar
Log it: Log the rock cale wherever it is spotted in Tasmanian waters.

• Australian Marine Life: The Plants and Animals of Temperate Waters by G. J. Edgar, Revised (2008) Reed Books, Melbourne
   
• Fishes of Australia’s Southern Coast, Edited by M. Gomon. D. Bray and R. Kuiter (2008) Reed Books, Melbourne
   
• Fishes of Tasmania by P. Last, E. Scott and F. Talbot (1983). Tasmanian Fisheries Development Authority, Hobart