White-blotched grouper
📖 Overview
Inhabit clear to turbid water in shallow as well as deep water . Juveniles are found in inshore coral reefs . They feed in water to more than 100 m depth . It has been suggested that juveniles mimic the herbivorous damselfish Neopomacentrus sindensis, presumably to get closer to their unsuspecting prey . Feed on small fishes and crabs. Probably spawn during restricted periods and form aggregations when doing so . Eggs and early larvae are probably pelagic . Solitary (Ref 90102).
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 17; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Distinguished by the following characteristics: color is dark purplish gray with scattered irregular whitish spots and blotches which are faint or absent in preserved fish; ctenoid body scales except cycloid dorsoanteriorly below anterior half of spinous dorsal fin, thorax, abdomen and above anterior anal fin; body with numerous auxiliary scales; greatest depth of body 2.5-3.0 in SL; slightly emarginate to truncate caudal fin; short pelvic fins, 1.7-2.3 in head length ; head length 2.4-2.7 times in SL; distinctly convex interorbital, slightly convex dorsal head profile; subangular preopercle, shallow notch just above the angle, serrae at angle not or slightly enlarged; upper edge of operculum straight; posterior nostrils of adults is twice the size of anterior nostrils; maxilla reaches vertical at rear edge of eye or thereabouts; ventral edge of maxilla of adults with distinct step distally; 2 rows of teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for White-blotched grouper is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for White-blotched grouper is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Rock cod are protogynous hermaphrodites.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 110 m . Tropical; 30°N - 27°S, 33°E - 136°E known from the Red Sea.
🌿 Ecology
small fishes and crabs
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"White-blotched grouper is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked — Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.7 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 120 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for White-blotched grouper has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Brown Rock-cod · Rankin Cod · Rankin's Cod · Rankin's Rock Cod · Rankin's Rock-cod · Rockcod · White-blotched Rockcod · White-blotched grouper · White-spotted Rockcod · Whiteblotched Grouper |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | Hamour · هامور أبيض البقع |
| 🌍CES | kanic znamenaný |
| 🇫🇷French | Cabot Negre · Cabot nègre, Nègre, Plat, Vielle plate grise · Mérou plate grise · Negre · Plat · Vielle Plate · Vielle Plate Grise |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | garoupa-de-luas-brancas |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Mero De Lunares |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 白斑石斑魚 · 藍棕石斑魚 |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 4 records indexed .
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