Marbled grouper

Last updated

Marbled grouper
Sanc0498 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Serranidae
Subfamily: Epinephelinae
Genus: Dermatolepis
Species:
D. inermis
Binomial name
Dermatolepis inermis
(Valenciennes, 1833)
Synonyms [2]
  • Serranus inermisValenciennes, 1833
  • Epinephelus inermis (Valenciennes, 1833)
  • Dermatolepis zanclus Evermann & Kendall, 1898
  • Dermatolepis marmoratus Osburn & Mowbray, 1915

The marbled grouper (Dermatolepis inermis), donkey fish, mutton hamlet, rockhind and sicklefish 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 predatory reef fish which is found in the Western Atlantic Ocean.

Contents

Description

The marbled grouper has a body which is at least twice as deep as its standard length [3] which is at its deepest at the origin of the dorsal fin and laterally compressed. It has a long snout and the dorsal profile of the head is steep. [4] The dorsal fin has 11 spines and 18-20 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 8-9 soft rays, the pectoral fin is large. [2] The adults are yellowish brown marked with numerous small dark brown spots on the head, body and fins and pale blotches on the head and body. The juveniles are dark brown through to black, marked with an irregular scattering of white blotches on the head and body. [4] It attains a maximum recorded total length of 91 centimetres (36 in) and a maximum weight of 10 kilograms (22 lb), although 50 centimetres (20 in) is a more common length. [2]

Distribution

The marbled grouper is found in the Western Atlantic Ocean from North Carolina south along the eastern coast of the United States to the Bahamas, in the Gulf of Mexico it is distributed from northwestern Cuba north to Alabama and the Flower Garden Banks, having also been recorded over salt domes in the United States territorial waters of the northern Gulf. In the Caribbean Sea it occurs from Cuba to Tobago, as well as Guanaja Island in Honduras. Off the coast of South America it is found from Santa Marta in Colombia to Guyana and then off Brazil from Sao Luis to Sao Paulo, including the Trindade and Fernando de Noronha Islands, Rocas Atoll, Parcel Manuel Luiz and Abrolhos Bank.

Habitat and biology

The marbled grouper normally occurs on deep ledges, [2] at depths between 3 and 250 metres (9.8 and 820.2 ft) [1] as well as on reefs, where it is usually found in caves or deep crevices. It is a solitary species which is secretie, nervously darting off when it is approached or threatened. [2] Its biology is little known but it is assumed that it forms aggregations for spawning like other groupers. The juveniles have been observed hiding among the spines of sea urchins. [1]

Taxonomy

The marbled grouper was first formally described as Serranus inermis in 1833 by the French zoologist Achille Valenciennes (1794–1865) with the type locality given as the Antilles. [5]

Uitilisation and conservation

The marbled grouper has been described as being of little interest to fisheries but its flesh is esteemed in Brazil and it is sometimes taken by both anglers and commercial fisheries. Exploitation of spawning aggregations may me a threat to some populations. The IUCN classify it as Data Deficient due to a lack of information on its population. The population of this naturally rare and sparsely distributed species is, however, suspected to be decreasing. [1]

Related Research Articles

<i>Mycteroperca bonaci</i> Species of fish

Mycteroperca bonaci, the black grouper, black rockfish or marbled rockfish, 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. Other fish are sometimes called the black grouper including the similar gag grouper, the misty grouper, and the warsaw grouper. This species is found in the western Atlantic Ocean from the northeastern United States to Brazil.

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

The 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 warmer waters of the western Atlantic Ocean.

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

The smooth 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 and is found in the western Indian Ocean.

<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.

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

The red 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.

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

The snowy 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.

<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">Gulf grouper</span> Species of fish

The Gulf 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 endemic to Mexico.

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

The sailfin grouper, also known as the bacalao grouper, colorado grouper or 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 found off islands in the eastern Pacific.

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

The sawtail 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 endemic to the western coasts of Mexico. The sawtail grouper commonly lives on fields of large boulders with gorgonians and black corals.

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

The tiger 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 warmer waters of the western Atlantic Ocean.

<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>Cephalopholis panamensis</i> Species of fish

Cephalopholis panamensis, the Pacific graysby or Panama 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 Eastern Pacific Ocean.

<i>Plectropomus laevis</i> Species of fish

Plectropomus laevis, known commonly as the black-saddled coral grouper, cluespotted coral trout, blacksaddled coral trout, blue-spot trout, Chinese footballer, footballer cod, footballer coral trout, oceanic coral trout or tiger trout, 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.

<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 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>Cephalopholis sexmaculata</i> Species of fish

Cephalopholis sexmaculata, sixblotch hind, freckled cod, freckled rock-cod, sixband cod, six-banded rockcod, sixband rockcod or sixspot rockcod 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. This fish occurs throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

<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>Dermatolepis dermatolepis</i> Species of fish

Dermatolepis dermatolepis, the leather 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 a predatory reef fish which is found in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Ferreira, B.; Bertoncini, A.A. (2018). "Dermatolepis inermis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2018: e.T39303A46914065. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T39303A46914065.en . Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2019). "Dermatolepis inermis" in FishBase. December 2019 version.
  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. 65–66. ISBN   92-5-103125-8.
  4. 1 2 "Species: Dermatolepis inermis, Marbled grouper". Shorefishes of the Greater Caribbean online information system. Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  5. ↑ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Serranus inermis". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 21 June 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.