Malabar grouper
📖 Overview
A common species found in a variety of habitats: coral and rocky reefs, tide pools, estuaries, mangrove swamps and sandy or mud bottom from shore to depths of 150 m. Solitary (Ref 90102). Juveniles found near shore and in estuaries; sex reversal probable; catch statistics poor being previously confused with E. andersoni . Feed primarily on fishes and crustaceans, and occasionally on cephalopods . Present in Hong Kong live fish markets . Widely used in mariculture mainly in the Far East .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Characterized by light grey to yellowish brown color; five slightly oblique dark brown bars that bifurcate ventrally; numerous small black spots and blotches in head and body; ctenoid scales on body except cycloid anterodorsally on body, thorax and abdomen; body with auxiliary scales; greatest depth of body 3.0-3.6 in SL; rounded caudal fin; pelvic fins, 2.0-2.6 in head length ; head length 2.3-2.6 times in SL; snout length 1.7-2.0 times in upper jaw length; interorbital width 4.5-6.5 times in HL and 2.1-3.0 times in upper jaw length; flat or slightly convex interorbital area; subangular preopercle, with enlarged serrae at the angle; almost straight upper edge of operculum; subequal posterior and anterior nostrils, except in large adults which have the posterior nostrils slightly larger; maxilla reaches to or past vertical at rear edge of orbit, maxilla width 4.5-6.5% of SL; upper jaw length 17-22% of SL, 2-5 rows of teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Malabar grouper is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Malabar grouper is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; amphidromous ; depth range 0 - 150 m . Tropical; 30°N - 32°S, 29°E - 173°W East Africa to Tonga, north to Japan, south to Australia.
🌿 Ecology
fishes and crustaceans, and occasionally on cephalopods (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Blackspot Cod · Blackspotted Rockcod · Estuary Cod · Estuary Rock-cod · Malabar Cod · Malabar Rock-cod · Malabar Rockcod · Malabar grouper · Morgan's Cod |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | Hamour · هامور مليبار |
| 🌍CES | kanic malabarský |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Malabar-havaborre |
| 🇩🇪German | Malabar-Zackenbarsch |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | usvameriahven |
| 🇫🇷French | Grand gueule · Loche ronde, Mère loche · Mère loche · Mérou Malabare · Mérou de Malabar · Mérou de Malabar, Mérou malabare, Mérou malabar · Mérou malabar |
| 🌍GUJ | Wekhali · Wekhru |
| 🌍HEB | דקר דו-ימי · דקר מלברי |
| 🌍IND | Kerapu lumpur |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Yaitohata · ヤイトハタ |
| 🌍MAR | Gobra · Hekaru · Hekru · गोबरा · हीकरू |
| 🌍MSA | Kerapu hitam · Kertang |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Malabar Tandbaars |
| 🇵🇱Polish | granik malabarski |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Garoupa-do-Malabar |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Mero Malabárico · Mero de Malabar |
| 🌍TAM | Kalava |
| 🌍TEL | Bontoo |
| 🌍THA | ปลากะรังน้ำกร่อย |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 來貓 · 厲麻 · 瑪拉巴石斑魚 · 石斑 · 虎麻 · 過魚 · 馬拉巴 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cephalopholis malabaricus | Bloch & Schneider | 1801 | Synonym |
| Epinephelus cylindricus | Postel | 1965 | Synonym |
| Epinephelus malabrica | Bloch & Schneider | 1801 | Synonym |
| Epinephelus salmoides | Lacepède | 1802 | Synonym |
| Epinephelus salmonoides | Valenciennes | 1828 | Synonym |
| Holocentrus malabaricus | Bloch & Schneider | 1801 | Synonym |
| Holocentrus salmoides | Lacepède | 1802 | Synonym |
| Serranus crapao | Cuvier | 1829 | Synonym |
| Serranus estuarius | Macleay | 1883 | Heterotypic |
| Serranus polypodophilus | Bleeker | 1849 | Synonym |
| Serranus salmonoides | Valenciennes | 1828 | Heterotypic |
| Serranus semi-punctatus | Valenciennes | 1828 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 19 records indexed .
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