Epinephelus maculatus

Last updated

Epinephelus maculatus
Epinephelus maculatus JNC1170.JPG
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Serranidae
Subfamily: Epinephelinae
Tribe: Epinephelini
Genus: Epinephelus
Species:
E. maculatus
Binomial name
Epinephelus maculatus
(Bloch, 1790)
Synonyms [2]
  • Holocentrus maculatusBloch, 1790
  • Holocentrus albofuscus Lacépède, 1802
  • Holocentrus albo-fuscusLacepède, 1802
  • Serranus sebae Bleeker, 1854
  • Plectropoma kulas Thiollière, 1857
  • Serranus medurensis Günther, 1873

Epinephelus maculatus, the highfin grouper, blackfin cod or brown-spotted rock-cod, marbled rock-cod or spotted grouper, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is found in the Indo-Pacific region.

Contents

Description

Epinephelus maculatus has a body with a standard length which is 2.8 to 3.1 times its depth. The dorsal profile of the head is convex and the area between the eyes is either flat or marginally convex. The preopercle has a notch above the angle where there are enlarged serrations. [3] The dorsal fin contains 11 spines and 15-17 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays. [2] The dorsal fin is highest in its anterior spiny part [4] and membranes between the spines are slightly indented. in adults and rounded in juveniles. The caudal fin is convex or rounded. [3] The head and body are covered with regularly spaced brown spots which group into hexagonal shapes on adults of lengths between 25 and 45 centimetres (9.8 and 17.7 in). The juveniles are initially black with blotched with white and as they grow they develops their spots. [5] This species has a maximum published total length of 60.5 centimetres (23.8 in). [2]

Distribution

Epinephelus maculatus is occurs in the eastern Indian Ocean and Western Pacific Ocean. Its range extends from the Cocos (Keeling) Islands east to Micronesia and Samoa, south to Australia and north to the Ryukyu Islands and Ogasawara Islands of Japan. [1] In Australia is it found around the offshore reefs of Western Australia, the Ashmore Reef in the Timor Sea and Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea as well as along the eastern coast from the northern Great Barrier Reef of Queensland south as far as Sydney. [5]

Habitat and biology

Epinephelus maculatus is found on coastal and offshore coral and rocky reefs at depths from 2 to 100 metres (6.6 to 328.1 ft), frequently occurring over open sand near the base of these reefs. The juveniles have been recorded from shallow coral rubble. It is a predatory species which preys mainly on small fish, crabs and octopuses. They have been observed moving between reefs and undertaking journeys of at least 5 to 10 kilometres (3.1 to 6.2 mi). Compared with other groupers this is a species which has a fast growth rate and a high population turnover rate. They have been recorded living as long as 13 years, females mature at 2,8 years old while males are mature at 4 years old. They may for spawning aggregations, [1] otherwise solitary. [2]

Taxonomy

Epinephelus maculatus was first formally described as Holocentrus maculatus in 1790 by the German medical doctor and naturalist Marcus Elieser Bloch (1723–1799) with the type locality given as the "East Indies". [6] This species is one of a group of related members of the genus Epinephelus known as "reticulated coral groupers" along with E. bilobatus , E. faveatus , E. hexagonatus , E. macrospilos , E. melanostigma , E. merra , E. quoyanus and E. spilotoceps . These species have frequently been mistaken for each other and as a result many specimens in museums have been misidentified. [3]

Utilisation

Epinephelus maculatus is mainly taken by subsistence and artisanal fisheries and is not normally regarded as being as valuable as other species of grouper. It does appear in the Hong Kong live food market. [1] In Indonesia it is caught using hook and line, spears and traps. [4] In some regions the flesh may be toxic due to the presence ciguatoxins. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giant grouper</span> Species of fish

The giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus), also known as the Queensland groper (grouper), brindle grouper or mottled-brown sea bass, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution and is one of the largest extant species of bony fish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Comet grouper</span> Species of fish

The comet grouper, also known as the comet cod or dot-dash grouper, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is a species of deep coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blacktip grouper</span> Species of fish

The blacktip grouper, also known as the redbanded grouper, blacktipped cod, black-tipped rockcod, footballer cod, red-barred cod, red-barred rockcod, scarlet rock-cod or weathered rock-cod, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is found in the tropical Indo-Pacific region. It is the type species of the genus Epinephelus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow grouper</span> Species of fish

The yellow grouper, also known as the banded grouper, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is found in eastern Asian waters of the Western Pacific Ocean. Its natural habitats are shallow seas and rocky reefs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orange-spotted grouper</span> Species of fish

The orange-spotted grouper, also known as the brown-spotted rockcod, estuary cod, estuary rockcod, goldspotted rockcod, greasy cod, North-west groper, orange spotted cod or blue-and-yellow grouper, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It has an Indo-Pacific distribution and is found in marine and brackish waters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camouflage grouper</span> Species of fish

The camouflage grouper, also known as the blue-tailed cod, camouflage rockcod, small-toothed rockcod, smooth flowery rock-cod, snout-spot grouper or snout-spot rock-cod, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution where it is associated with reefs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Potato grouper</span> Species of fish

The potato grouper, also called the potato cod or potato bass, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pacific goliath grouper</span> Species of fish

The Pacific goliath grouper, also known as the Pacific itajara grouper, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is found in the eastern Pacific Ocean where it is associated with reefs. It is related to the Atlantic goliath grouper.

<i>Epinephelus flavocaeruleus</i> Species of fish

Epinephelus flavocaeruleus, commonly called blue-and-yellow grouper, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is associated with reefs in the Indian Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honeycomb grouper</span> Species of fish

The honeycomb grouper, also known as black-spotted rock-cod, common birdwire rockcod, dwarf spotted rockcod, dwarf-spotted grouper, honeycomb cod, wire-netted reefcod or wire-netting cod, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution where it is found in coastal and offshore reefs in shallow waters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Longfin grouper</span> Species of fish

The longfin grouper, also known as the longfin rockcod, bar-breasted rock-cod, Gilbert's rock-cod, honeycomb rockcod, spotted groper or wirenet cod, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is found in the Western Pacific Ocean.

<i>Epinephelus spilotoceps</i> Species of fish

Epinephelus spilotoceps, the foursaddle grouper or spotty cod, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is found in the Indo-Pacific region.

<i>Epinephelus cyanopodus</i> Species of fish

Epinephelus cyanopodus, the speckled blue grouper, also known as the blue maori, purple rock cod, speckled grouper or yellowfin grouper, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is found in the Western Pacific Ocean where it occurs in corals.

<i>Epinephelus labriformis</i> Species of fish

Epinephelus labriformis, commonly called starry grouper or flag cabrilla is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is found in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

<i>Epinephelus ongus</i> Species of fish

Epinephelus ongus, the white-streaked grouper, specklefin grouper, lace-finned rock-cod, specklefin rockcod, wavy-lined tock-cod, white-speckled grouper or white-spotted rock-cod, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution and it is found in brackish waters as well as marine reefs.

<i>Epinephelus corallicola</i> Species of fish

Epinephelus corallicola, also known as the black-dotted cod, coral cod, coral rockcod or duskyfin grouper, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It has an Indo-Pacific distribution and is found in marine and brackish waters.

<i>Epinephelus faveatus</i> Species of fish

Epinephelus faveatus, the barrel-chested grouper, also known as the Indian grouper, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is associated with reefs in the Indian Ocean.

<i>Epinephelus undulosus</i> Species of fish

Epinephelus undulosus, the wavy-lined grouper, brown-lined reefcod, mid-water rockcod, mid-water grouper, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution. They are produced through aquaculture and commercially fished.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Masked grouper</span> Species of fish

The masked grouper, also known as the thinspine grouper, rededged cod, red-edged grouper, slenderspine grouper, thinspine rockcod, white-margined grouper, white-square cod or white-square grouper, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is found in the western Atlantic Ocean. It is the only species in the genus Gracila.

<i>Epinephelus bruneus</i> Species of fish

Epinephelus bruneus, commonly known as the longtooth grouper or the kelp grouper, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is found in northwest Pacific in eastern Asia.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Rhodes, K.; Sadovy, Y. (2018). "Epinephelus maculatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2018: e.T132723A100550757. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T132723A100550757.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2019). "Epiphenelus maculatus" in FishBase. December 2019 version.
  3. 1 2 3 Heemstra, P.C. & J.E. Randall (1993). FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 16. Groupers of the world (family Serranidae, subfamily Epinephelinae). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of the grouper, rockcod, hind, coral grouper and lyretail species known to date (PDF). FAO Fish. Synopsis. Vol. 125. FAO, Rome. pp. 181–182. ISBN   92-5-103125-8.
  4. 1 2 "Highfin Grouper". fishIDER. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  5. 1 2 Bray, D.J. (2020). "Epinephelus maculatus". Fishes of Australia. Museums Victoria. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  6. ↑ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Holocentrus maculatus". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 11 July 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.