| 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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