| Family: |
Epinephelidae (Groupers) |
| Max. size: |
30 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; marine; depth range - 30 m, non-migratory |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Pacific: Gulf of California to Peru. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-20; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Distinguished by the following characteristics: Dorsal fin with 11 spines and 18-20 rays: anal fin with 2 spines and 9 rays: pectoral fins with 17-19 rays; caudal fin rounded; smooth scales; lateral line scales 54-62; lateral line scale series 67-75; depth of body distinctly less than HL, depth contained 2.7-3.1 times in SL; caudal peduncle depth 11-12% SL; eye diameter slightly greater than snout length, 4.3-4.7 times HL; rounded preopercle, rear edge distinctly serrate with a large spine (usually hidden by skin) directed downward and forward at the angle; gill rakers 6-8 on upper limb, 14-16 on lower limb (Ref. 89707). |
| Biology: |
A demersal, rocky reef (Ref. 89707) and shallow-water species, cryptically colored and secretive. Sedentary during the day, hiding in crevices or lying among seaweed, and rely on their effective camouflage to escape detection (sometimes lying and partly covering itself with sand). Nocturnal predators feeding mainly on benthic crustaceans. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 November 2016 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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