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Epinephelus melanostigma Schultz, 1953

One-blotch grouper
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Native range | All suitable habitat | Point map | Year 2050
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Epinephelus melanostigma   AquaMaps   Data sources: GBIF OBIS
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Image of Epinephelus melanostigma (One-blotch grouper)
Epinephelus melanostigma
Picture by Randall, J.E.

Maldives country information

Common names: [No common name]
Occurrence: native
Salinity: marine
Abundance: | Ref:
Importance: | Ref:
Aquaculture: | Ref:
Regulations: | Ref:
Uses: no uses
Comments: Museum: MRS 103/87 (2:19.4-20.2 cm SL). SMF 22011 (18.7 cm SL). Also Ref. 33390.
National Checklist:
Country Information: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/resources/the-world-factbook/geos/mv.html
National Fisheries Authority:
Occurrences: Occurrences Point map
Main Ref: Randall, J.E. and C. Anderson, 1993
National Database:

Common names from other countries

Mérou dossard, Mero espaldarón, Oneblotch grouper, ... more

Classification / Names Nomi Comuni | Sinonimi | Catalog of Fishes(Genere, Specie) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa

> Perciformes/Serranoidei (Groupers) > Epinephelidae (Groupers)
Etymology: Epinephelus: Greek, epinephelos = cloudy (Ref. 45335).
  More on author: Schultz.

Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range Ecologia

marino associati a barriera corallina; distribuzione batimetrica 0 - 30 m (Ref. 5213).   Tropical; 29°N - 34°S, 28°E - 157°W (Ref. 5222)

Distribuzione Stati | Aree FAO | Ecosystems | Presenze | Point map | Introduzioni | Faunafri

Indo-West Pacific: Natal, South Africa to the central Pacific. Not known from the Red Sea nor Persian Gulf.

Size / Peso / Age

Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 54.9 cm TL maschio/sesso non determinato; (Ref. 125599); common length : 25.0 cm TL maschio/sesso non determinato; (Ref. 9137); peso massimo pubblicato: 3.8 kg (Ref. 125599)

Short description Chiavi di identificazione | Morfologia | Morfometria

Spine dorsali (totale) : 11; Raggi dorsali molli (totale) : 14 - 16; Spine anali: 3; Raggi anali molli: 8. A single large black blotch along middle of dorsal fin base (Ref. 37816), which can be turned off (Ref. 48635); further characterized by head, body and fins having numerous close-set polygon shaped dark brown spots; broad zone along side of body with ctenoid scales, cycloid scales elsewhere; body with auxiliary scales; greatest depth of body 2.9-3.4 in SL; rounded caudal fin; short pelvic fins, 2.0-2.6 in head length (Ref. 90102); head length 2.2-2.4 in SL; flat or slightly concave interorbital area; rounded preopercle, serrae mostly covered by skin; straight or slightly convex upper edge of operculum; subequal posterior and anterior nostrils; maxilla reaches to or past vertical at rear edge of eye; 3-5 rows of teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw, inner teeth about twice as long as outer ones (Ref. 89707).

Biologia     Glossario (es. epibenthic)

Occur in outer reef flats and shallow lagoon (Ref. 37816). Reported to be taken in a trawl, thus presumably caught somewhat deeper than 7 m. Also reported to occur in reefs at a depth of about 30 m (Ref. 5213). Because of its small size and apparent rarity, it is of little or no commercial importance. Solitary (Ref 90102).

Life cycle and mating behavior Maturities | Riproduzione | Spawnings | Egg(s) | Fecundities | Larve

Main reference Upload your references | Bibliografia | Coordinatore | Collaboratori

Heemstra, P.C. and J.E. Randall, 1993. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 16. Groupers of the world (family Serranidae, subfamily Epinephelinae). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of the grouper, rockcod, hind, coral grouper and lyretail species known to date. Rome: FAO. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(16):382 p. (Ref. 5222)

IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)

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