Whitespotted grouper

📖 Overview

Occurs in rocky or coral-rich areas of deep lagoons, channels and outer reef slopes; usually in or near caves . Solitary (Ref 90102). Juveniles are found in tide pools. Feeds on fish and crustaceans . In Hong Kong live fish markets . Caught with hook-and-line, spear, and in traps and probably of some importance to fisheries in areas where it is common .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 17; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. This species is distinguished by the following characters: body depth distinctly less than head length, 2.9-3.4 in SL (for specimens 11-47 cm SL); head length 2.3-2.5 in SL; head pointed, dorsal profile almost straight; preopercle rounded, finely serrate; opercular spines inconspicuous; upper edge of operculum straight, sinuous or slightly convex; maxilla naked, mostly covered by upper lip; small or absent canines at front of jaws; midlateral part of lower jaw with 3-5 rows of small teeth; gill rakers of first gill arch 8-10 + 13-17 in juveniles and 4-8 in upper limb for adults larger than 25 cm SL; adults with ctenoid scales on body in broad zone along middle of side, cycloid elsewhere and with numerous auxiliary scales; caudal fin rounded; pectoral fins large and fleshy, with 17-19 rays, the fin length 1.5-2.1 in HL; short pelvic fins, not reaching anus, 2.0-2.7 in head length. Colour of adults brownish grey, the body covered with small pale spots overlain with large pale blotches; oblique black saddle on rear half of peduncle; 4-5 indistinct black blotches at base of dorsal fin; prominent black streak on maxillary groove; large adults brownish, covered with small, indistinct, contiguous pale spots; juveniles (less than 25 cm) dark grey to black, covered with prominent pupil-size white spots and smaller white dots .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Whitespotted grouper is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 65 m . Tropical; 35°N - 35°S, 26°E - 180°E East Africa south to East London, South Africa Red Sea but not Persian Gulf to east to Fiji, Tonga (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 10 records indexed .

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