| Family: |
Epinephelidae (Groupers) |
| Max. size: |
53 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 200 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-West Pacific: insular species ranging from East Africa (excluding the Red Sea and Persian Gulf) to the Gilbert Islands and Samoa, north to the Ryukyu Islands. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-17; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Have a large spots on the soft-rayed portions of the fins and a fine pattern of small close-set spots on the body and spinous portions of the fins (Ref. 37816); further characterized by having ctenoid scales on body except cycloid anteriorly above lateral line, thorax and abdomen; body with auxiliary scales; greatest depth of body 2.8-3.2 in SL; rounded caudal fin; pelvic fins, 1.7-2.1 in head length (Ref. 90102); head length 2.4-2.6 times in SL; convex interorbital, slightly concave dorsal head profile at eyes; subangular preopercle, shallow notch just above the angle and the serrae at the angle enlarged in juveniles; straight upper edge of operculum; diameter of posterior nostrils about twice that of anterior nostril; maxilla reaches vertical at rear edge of eye; 2-4 rows of teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw; pyloric caeca 30 (Ref. 89707). |
| Biology: |
Found in a variety of habitats. Solitary (Ref 90102). Juveniles (8-21 cm SL) have been taken from mud bottoms, seagrass beds, mangrove swamps, and from coral reefs in depths of 1 to 16 m; adults in coral reefs at depths of 18 to 180 m (Ref. 89707). Stomach contents reported to include juvenile clappid crab, a stomatopod, and a gastropod (Ref. 6448). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 February 2018 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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