Potato cod

Epinephelus tukula

Massive blotched grouper, famously tame at the Great Barrier Reef's Cod Hole.

Encounter score67

ai researched

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Quick facts

The Potato cod (Epinephelus tukula) is a marine species divers can encounter. Typical size: 100–150 cm. Usually seen at 10–25 m depth. Where to see it: Aliwal Shoal.

Summarised from DIVE-SEEK's recorded catalogue data; omitted values are not yet recorded.

Taxonomic rank

species

Typical size

100–150 cm (total_length)

Maximum size

200 cm

Typical depth

10–25 m

Maximum depth

400 m

Conservation status

Research in progress

Photography difficulty

1 /5

Activity pattern

Diurnal.

Description

Conservation status not populated pending a verified Red List reading.

Habitat

Coral reef, ledges and bommies.

Behaviour

Habituated individuals approach divers closely at long-established sites.

Diet

Fish, crustaceans and cephalopods.

Social behaviour

Solitary, territorial.

Photography notes

Large, slow and tolerant; the easiest big-fish portrait on the reef. Watch for over-lighting the pale blotches.

Ask about Potato cod

Answers are built only from our cited catalogue records — where data is missing, the assistant says so instead of guessing.

Where to see it

Destinations

Encounter records link species to destinations only when a verified source supports them.

Aliwal Shoal

South Africa

Encounter likelihood: Research in progress

Provenance — each verified claim is linked to its source as records are published.