The Maori Rockcod can be recognised by its pattern and colouration. Juveniles have stripes on the side of the body and a wide black stripe along the upper side and dorsal fin base. Older fish have fine lines of dots. Coastal reefs and deep estuaries. Distribution Western Pacific: endemic to east Australia, from southern Queensland (One Tree Islands, Great Barrier Reef at 23°30\'S) to Batemans Bay (35°44\'S), New South Wales. Max length : 61 cm TL; max. published weight: 5.5 kg Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-17; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Interorbital area convex, Almost straight dorsal profile; preopercle sub angular, serrae slightly enlarged; upper edge of the operculum almost straight; nostrils subequal; maxilla reaches to or slightly beyond vertical at posterior edge of the eye. Pectoral fins fleshy; pelvic fins not reaching anus, except in small individuals. Characterized further by the following: buff body, covered with close-set wavy longitudinal brownish orange, golden brown or reddish brown stripes; some stripes broken into series of small spots; pale greyish brown head, covered with small spots same as on the body; orange-brown maxillary streak; pale fin rays, with small brown spots, inter-radial membranes dark brown; narrow yellow margins on median fins; pectoral fins diffusely yellow distally.
