Striped-fin grouper
📖 Overview
Appears to be a rare species, but it is of some importance to South African sport fishers along the northern coast of Natal. Coral reef-associated species inhabiting depths of 20-50 m . Feeds on fishes and invertebrates . Testes of a 61 cm SL specimen contained a central lumen and numerous 'brown bodies' along the lateral edges of the gonadal lamellae.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9. Distinguished by the following characteristics: body color dark reddish brown; head and body covered with small, irregular, close-set, dark red or reddish brown spots, pale interspaces forming irregular pale network pattern; 4 narrow, irregular, oblique, pale bars running down and forward on body; paired fins generally darker than body; body depth contained 3.1-3.5 times in SL; body width 1.7-2.0 times in depth; head length 2.3-2.4 times in SL; interorbital width 5.9-6.8 times in HL; concave interorbital area; rounded preopercle, finely serrate, shallow indentation just above angle; upper edge of operculum almost straight; inconspicuous opercular spines; posterior and anterior nostrils subequal; maxilla not reaching past eye; front of upper jaw with a pair of large, curved, fixed canines and a pair of similar but slightly smaller canines at front of lower jaw; lateral part of lower jaws with an outer row of 8-9 slightly smaller fixed canines and an inner row of smaller , more slender depressible teeth .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Striped-fin grouper is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 20 - 50 m . Subtropical; 25°S - 33°S, 30°E - 46°E South Africa, and southern Mozambique.
🌿 Ecology
fishes and invertebrates (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
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🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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