Red grouper

Last updated

Red grouper
Epinephelus morio in Madagascar Reef.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Serranidae
Subfamily: Epinephelinae
Genus: Epinephelus
Species:
E. morio
Binomial name
Epinephelus morio
(Valenciennes, 1828)
Synonyms [2]
  • Serranus morioValenciennes, 1828
  • Serranus erythrogaster DeKay, 1842
  • Serranus luridus Ranzani, 1842
  • Serranus remotus Poey, 1860
  • Serranus angustifrons Steindachner, 1864

The red grouper (Epinephelus morio) 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.

Contents

Description

The red grouper has a body with a standard length which is 2.6 to 3 times as long as it is deep. The preopercle is subangular with the serrations at its angle being slightly enlarged and the upper edge of the gill cover is straight. [3] The gill cover has three flat spines with the central spine being the longest. [4] The dorsal fin contains 11 spines and 16 or 17 soft rays while the anal fin has three spines and eight soft rays. [2] The pectoral fins are longer than the pelvic fins and the caudal fin is truncate. The pelvic fins insert posterior to the insertion site of the pectoral fins. [4] Red grouper are dark reddish brown on the upper part of the head and body, shading to paler pink on the underparts. They are marked with lighter spots and blotches across their body and there are darker margins to the fins. [5] This species has a maximum published total length of 125 centimetres (49 in), although they a more commonly found at lengths around 50 centimetres (20 in), and a maximum published weight of 23 kilograms (51 lb). [2]

When aggravated (they are highly territorial[ citation needed ]) or involved in spawning activities, these fish can very rapidly change coloration patterns, with the head or other parts of the body turning completely white, and the white spots appearing more intense.[ citation needed ]

Distribution

The red grouper's typical range is coastal areas in the western Atlantic, stretching from southern Brazil to North Carolina in the US and including the Gulf of Mexico and Bermuda. [2] It lives in areas with wide continental shelves and is considered to be a neritic species. [1]

Habitat and biology

The red grouper is a demersal, largely sedentary species which has an extended (~40 day) pelagic larval stage before it settles in shallow coastal hardbottom habitat as juveniles. They remain in inshore waters for 4–5 years before migrating to offshore hardbottom habitat—particularly on the edge of the continental self—as adults. Spawning occurs offshore between January and June, peaking in May. While primarily eating benthic invertebrates, the red grouper is an opportunistic feeder in the reef community. The diet commonly includes xanthid and portunid crabs, juvenile spiny lobster, and snapping shrimp, with the occasional fish.[ citation needed ]

Red grouper (Epinephelus morio) on an excavated site on Pulley Ridge on the West Florida Shelf Red Grouper in excavated habitat Pulley Ridge.jpg
Red grouper (Epinephelus morio) on an excavated site on Pulley Ridge on the West Florida Shelf

Habitat engineers of the sea

Red grouper actively excavate pits in the seafloor. They start digging in the sediment from the time they settle out of the plankton and continue throughout their lifetime. They use their caudal fin and their mouths to remove debris and sediment from rocks, creating exposed surfaces on which sessile organisms actively settle (e.g., sponges, soft corals, algae). The exposure of structure also attracts a myriad of other species, including mobile invertebrates and a remarkable diversity of other fishes, from gobies and butterflyfish to grunts and snapper. The lionfish Pterois volitans started invading red grouper habitat by 2008, from Florida Bay to the Florida Keys and offshore to Pulley Ridge, a mesophotic coral reef on the West Florida Shelf west of the Dry Tortugas. Known for being extremely capable predators on small reef fish, scientists are very interested in determining the extent to which their invasion changes the functional dynamics of associated communities.[ citation needed ]

Parasites

As other fish, red groupers harbour a number of parasites, [6] including, on its gills, the monogeneans Pseudorhabdosynochus justinella and Pseudorhabdosynochus yucatanensis .

Taxonomy

The red grouper was first formally described as Serranus morio in 1828 by the French zoologist Achille Valenciennes (1794–1865), [7] with the type locality given as the fish market in New York, the fish being "probably caught south of there". [3]

Utilisation

The red grouper is a commercially important species for fisheries throughout its range and it is also an valuable resource for recreational fisheries too. [4] It is the most frequently captured grouper by commercial fisheries in the United States and in Mexico. [1]

Red grouper caught off Key West in the Florida Keys. Red-grouper-epinephelus-morio.jpg
Red grouper caught off Key West in the Florida Keys.

Conservation

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified the red grouper as a vulnerable species. It is estimated to have declined globally by at least 30 percent over three generations or 51 years. [1] The major threat to the species' survival is overfishing, with possible contributions in the Gulf of Mexico from hypoxia, algal blooms, oil and gas exploration and increasing sea temperatures due to climate change. [1]

Related Research Articles

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

The graysby is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is in the family Serranidae which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is found in the western Atlantic. It is associated with reefs and is a quarry species for commercial and recreational fisheries.

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

The brownspotted grouper, also known as the brown spotted reef cod, brown-spotted rockcod, coral grouper or honeycomb 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 an Indo-Pacific distribution but in the northern Indian Ocean this distribution is discontinuous. It forms part of a species complex with two closely related species in the genus Epinephelus.

<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">Hong Kong grouper</span> Species of fish

The Hong Kong 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 and southeastern Asian waters of the Western Pacific Ocean. Its natural habitats are shallow seas and coral reefs.

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

Epinephelus albomarginatus, the white-edged grouper, white-edged rockcod or captain fine, 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 southwestern Indian Ocean and it is associated with coral reefs. It is a target species for commercial and recreational fisheries.

<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">Speckled hind</span> Species of fish

The speckled hind, also known as the calico grouper, kitty mitchell or strawberry 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 Bermuda and off the eastern coast of North America. Its natural habitats are open seas, shallow seas, y aquatic beds, and coral reefs. The species, like many other types of marine life in the region, is threatened by habitat loss.

<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">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 summana</i> Species of fish

Epinephelus summana, the summan 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 comes from the Eastern Indian Ocean that occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade.

<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.

Epinephelus analogus, the spotted grouper, spotted cabrilla or rock 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 is found in the eastern Pacific Ocean where it is associated with reefs.

<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 erythrurus</i> Species of fish

Epinephelus erythrurus, the cloudy grouper, also known as the cloudy 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 marine and brackish waters in the Indo-Pacific region.

<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 sexfasciatus</i> Species of fish

Epinephelus sexfasciatus, the sixbar grouper, sixbar rockcod or six-banded rockcod, 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 bleekeri</i> Species of fish

Epinephelus bleekeri, the duskytail grouper, Bleeker's grouper or Bleeker's rockcod, 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 where it is associated with shallow banks.

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

Epinephelus rivulatus, the halfmoon grouper, halfmoon rockcod, Chinaman rockcod, Charlie court cod, green-finned rock cod, or white-dotted 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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Brule, T.; Bertoncini, A.A.; Ferreira, B.; Aguilar-Perera, A.; Sosa-Cordero, E. (2018). "Epinephelus morio". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2018: e.T44681A46914636. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T44681A46914636.en . Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2019). "Epiphenelus morio" in FishBase. December 2019 version.
  3. 1 2 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. 195–196. ISBN   92-5-103125-8.
  4. 1 2 3 "Epinephelus morio (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1828)". Indian River Lagoon Species Inventory. Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  5. ↑ "Epinephelus morio". Discover Fishes. Florida Museum. 12 May 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  6. ↑ Moravec F, Vidal-Martínez VM, Vargas-Vázquez J, Vivas-Rodríguez C, González-Solís D, Mendoza-Franco E, Simá-Alvarez R, Güemez-Ricalde J (1997). "Helminth parasites of Epinephelus morio (Pisces: Serranidae) of the Yucatan Peninsula, southeastern Mexico" (PDF). Folia Parasitologica. 44 (4): 255–66. PMID   9437838. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  7. ↑ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Serranus morio". 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.