| Family: |
Epinephelidae (Groupers) |
| Max. size: |
61 cm TL (male/unsexed); 54.7 cm TL (female); max.weight: 2,100.0 g |
| Environment: |
demersal; marine; depth range 10 - 155 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Indian Ocean: Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, Pakistan, and west coast of India. Since it has only recently been discovered, it may be expected to have a wider distribution. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-17; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Distinguished by the following characteristics: head, body and fins pale, covered with numerous small close-set dark brown spots; spots on fins and dorsal parts of head and body smaller and closer together compared to those on the sides and ventrally; rear edge of caudal fin with white line and a row of blackish brown spots; presence of dark maxillary streak; body depth contained 2.6-3.3 times in SL; body width 1.8-2.4 times in depth; head length 2.5-2.8 times in SL; slightly convex interorbital, dorsal head profile almost straight; angular preopercle, with indentation above the angle and enlarged serrae below the indentation; straight upper edge of operculum; posterior nostrils slightly larger than anterior ones; maxilla reaches to below rear half of eye; front of jaws with a pair of small fixed canines; 2 rows of teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw, inner ones twice length of outer teeth, pyloric caeca 28-34 (Ref. 89707). |
| Biology: |
Known from rocky areas adjacent to soft bottoms in depths 10-155 m (Ref. 89707). In the Hong Kong live fish markets (Ref. 27253). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 22 November 2016 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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