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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🌡️ Tropical

Reticulate grouper

Epinephelus tuamotuensis Fourmanoir, 1971
Max Length
66 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.9
Depth
120–250 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
60.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Inhabits the outer slope of coral reefs. Fourmanoir (1971, Ref. 6828) found ophichthid eels, Leiuranus phoenixensis, in the stomachs of his type specimens. May be of some importance to artisanal fisheries and it is rarely caught because of its preference for deep water.

Scientific Name
Epinephelus tuamotuensis
Authority
Fourmanoir, 1971
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
66 cm
Depth Range
120–250 m
Trophic Level
3.9
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
60.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Distinguished by the following characteristics: pale yellowish brown body color; irregular coarse reticulum of dark brown on body and rear part of head; fins unmarked; body depth contained 2.7-2.9 times in SL; head length 2.2-2.4 times in SL; convex interorbital area; subangular preopercle, 3-4 distinctly enlarged serrae at the angle; straight or nearly straight upper edge of operculum; anterior nostrils smaller than posterior nostrils; maxilla reaches almost to or slightly past vertical at rear edge of eye; 2 rows of teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw, inner teeth larger; well developed canine teeth at front of jaws .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Reticulate grouper is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring-summer
Spawn Location
Pelagic
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range 120 - 250 m . Tropical; 10°S - 24°S, 156°W - 135°W Central Pacific: known only from the French Polynesia, Pitcairn Group, and Rapa.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.9±0.6

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01148 × L3.04 (TL)
Max TL
66cm
Dorsal Spines
11
Dorsal Rays
15
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
8

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2016

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
60.00/100
High vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.9
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Fourmanoir, 1971

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