Epinephelus fasciatomaculosus (Peters, 1865)
Rock grouper
Epinephelus fasciatomaculosus
photo by Eric Keung@114°E Hong Kong Reef Fish Survey

Family:  Epinephelidae (Groupers)
Max. size:  30 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 15 - 30 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: southern Japan to Taiwan, China including Hainan, Hong Kong, Viet Nam, Philippines, and Sarawak, Malaysia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-17; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-8. Distinguished by having grey brown color shading to whitish, yellowish or pink ventrally; head and body with numerous small yellowish brown, orange brown or brown spots; in juveniles and subadult, five slightly oblique brown bars on body that bifurcate ventrally; ctenoid body scales except cycloid anterodorsally above lateral line and on thorax and abdomen; body with auxiliary scales; greatest depth of body 2.8-3.3 in SL; rounded caudal fin; pelvic fins 1.9-2.3 in head length (Ref. 90102); further characterized by having a slightly convex interorbital area and dorsal head profile; angular preopercle, serrae at the angle slightly enlarged; straight upper edge of operculum; subequal posterior and anterior nostrils; maxilla reaching about below rear third of eye or a little past eye; 2-3 rows of subequal teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw (Ref. 89707).
Biology:  Inhabits shallow rocky areas and feeds on small fishes, prawns, crabs, worms, and gastropods (Ref. 89707). An excellent food fish and brings a good price. Solitary, found in rocky bottoms in 15-30 m (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 January 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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