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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🎣 Game Fish 🌡️ Subtropical 🎣 Game Fish

Comb grouper

Mycteroperca acutirostris Valenciennes, 1828
Max Length
80 cm
Max Weight
10.0 kg
Lifespan
Trophic Level
3.4
Depth
3–70 m
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
58.00/100
Typical Length
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Maximum depth from Ref. 126840. Juveniles inhabit turtle grass beds, mangrove areas, and shallow waters among soft corals and coral reefs. Adults are found on rocky bottoms with high relief. Probably feeds on plankton (no information is available on the food of this species). The max weight of 4 kg given in Ref. 5222 appears too low. The species is a popular game fish in southern Brazil for both spear fishermen and rod-and-reel anglers. Fish of 4-7 kg are common, with the spear fishing record at 10.1 kg (Capt. Eduardo Baumeier, pers. comm., 2001).

Scientific Name
Mycteroperca acutirostris
Authority
Valenciennes, 1828
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
80 cm
Max Weight
10 kg
Depth Range
3–70 m
Latitude
27°S – 33°N
Trophic Level
3.4
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
58.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 17; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 10 - 12. Distinguished by the following characteristics: greyish brown color of head and body with irregular white spots and blotches; 3-4 dark brown stripes radiating posteriorly from the eye and continuing along the ventral half of the body as wavy dark stripes; dark brown stripe from maxillary streak to edge of preopercle; darker median fins with white spots and streaks; oblong and compressed body, depth of body 2.7-3.2 times in SL; head length 2.5-2.7 times in SL; width of maxilla 4.4-5.8% of SL; convex interorbital area; angular preopercle, enlarged serrae at the angle, forming a weak lobe; subequal sizes of anterior and posterior nostrils .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Comb grouper is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Comb grouper is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Comb grouper is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 70 m . Subtropical; 33°N - 27°S, 98°W - 28°W

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
3.4±0.45
Food Items

plankton (no information is available on the food of this species)

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01023 × L3.03 (TL)
Max TL
80cm
Max Weight
10,000g
Dorsal Spines
11
Dorsal Rays
16
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
11

🌡️ 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
58.00/100
High vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.4
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Latitude Range
33°N – 27°S
Described By
Valenciennes, 1828

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