Rock Cale

Aplodactylus lophodon

The rock cale, also known as the cockatoo fish, is a marine species native to the southeastern Australian waters of the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It is characterized by an elongated body with a grey to bluish-black hue, accented by lighter mottling on its sides and white spots on its fins. This fish has a short snout, a rounded head, and a small mouth with fleshy lips. Its dorsal fin is distinct with a long base and a deep indentation, consisting of 17 spines and 18-20 soft rays. The rock cale can reach a length of up to 45 cm. This species resides in shallow, rocky coastal areas, preferring the turbulent zones just below the surface where kelp and seaweeds are abundant. It typically inhabits depths from 0 to 10 meters. As a herbivore, the rock cale primarily consumes various types of algae, including Corallina pilulifera, along with smaller quantities of Ulva lactuca and other filamentous algae. It is often observed resting on coralline algae or sheltering in rock crevices during strong wave activity. Divers might spot the rock cale schooling in these dynamic coastal environments. Although its conservation status has not been evaluated by the IUCN Red List, it is a prevalent species in the surge zones off New South Wales.