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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🎣 Game Fish 🌡️ Deep-water 🎣 Game Fish

Golden grouper

Saloptia powelli Smith, 1964
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Max Length
39 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.9
Depth
140–367 m
Climate
Deep-water
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
48.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
deep-water

📖 Overview

Inhabits deep waters on rocky substrata. One of the most common deepwater groupers caught with handlines at the Marianas.

Scientific Name
Saloptia powelli
Authority
Smith, 1964
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Deep-water
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
39 cm
Depth Range
140–367 m
Latitude
23°S – 29°N
Trophic Level
3.9
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
48.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Genus
Saloptia
Saloptia
Species
Golden grouper
Saloptia powelli

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. : fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Golden 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; reef-associated; depth range 140 - 367 m . Deep-water; 29°N - 23°S, 111°E - 140°W Pacific Ocean: western Pacific to French Polynesia.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌑 Deep Water 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
3.9±0.6

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01122 × L3.06 (TL)
Max TL
39cm
Dorsal Spines
8
Dorsal Rays
11
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
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
48.00/100
Moderate-High vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.9
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Deep-water
Latitude Range
29°N – 23°S
Described By
Smith, 1964

🎣 Angling Guide

Difficulty
Beginner
Fight Rating
strong pulls with head-shakes
Best Seasons
spring,summer,fall
Best Time
incoming tide, dawn and dusk
Line Weight
15-30
Rod Type
medium-heavy spinning
Hook Size
2/0-5/0
Catch & Release
✓ Recommended
Best Months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Techniques
bottom fishing popping cork soft plastics live bait
Bait & Lures
live shrimp cut mullet soft plastic paddle-tails popping corks
Recommended Tackle
  • medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
  • 30-50 lb braid
  • fluorocarbon leader
Where to Find Them
  • grass flats
  • oyster bars
  • marsh drains
  • deeper channel edges
Tips & Tricks
Popping cork technique attracts fish from distance. Fish moving tides.
Catch & Release Tips

Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.

Regulations Summary

⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

👥 Community & Contribute

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