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Perciformes/Serranoidei (Groupers) >
Epinephelidae (Groupers)
Etymology: Cephalopholis: Greek, kephale = head + Greek, pholis = scale (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: François Paul Louis Pollen (1842–1886) was a Dutch naturalist and merchant, who made major contributions to the study of Malagasy fauna. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
More on author: Bleeker.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 10 - 120 m (Ref. 9710), usually 25 - 120 m (Ref. 9710). Tropical; 28°N - 24°S, 46°E - 156°W (Ref. 5222)
Indo-Pacific: scattered insular localities from the Comoros to the Line Islands. Unknown from the Red Sea, coast of East Africa, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Guinea, and the larger islands of Indonesia.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?, range 25 - ? cm
Max length : 43.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5222)
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9. Characterized by yellow to greenish yellow color; head, body and fins with bright blue stripes; body scales ctenoid, including abdomen; pelvic fins, 1.5-1.9 in head length; greatest depth of body 2.7-3.1 in SL; truncate caudal fin to slightly emarginate (Ref. 90102); eye diameter subequal to interorbital width and about twice the depth of the preorbital; rounded preopercle, finely serrate, lower edge with 1-3 broad serrae; subopercle and interopercle finely serrate; maxilla reaches approximately to vertical at rear edge of eye; pectoral fins subequal to pelvic fins, pectoral fin length contained 1.5-1.9 times in HL (Ref. 089707)
Sporadic distribution (Ref. 48635). Occurs only at oceanic islands. Inhabits clear waters of steep drop-offs; rarely seen in less than 30 m. It has been taken in depths of 120 m and may occur deeper. Also found in caves and crevices. Often swims upside-down against the roofs of caves or archways (Ref. 37816). Feeds on fishes and crustaceans (Ref. 89972). Solitary (Ref 90102).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Heemstra, P.C. and 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. Rome: FAO. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(16):382 p. (Ref. 5222)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; gamefish: yes
Tools
Special reports
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature (Ref.
123201): 20.7 - 28.2, mean 26.5 °C (based on 670 cells).
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01259 (0.00587 - 0.02699), b=3.04 (2.87 - 3.21), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this Genus-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 4.2 ±0.7 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low to moderate vulnerability (33 of 100).
Nutrients (Ref.
124155): Calcium = 42.8 [25.3, 73.4] mg/100g; Iron = 0.532 [0.307, 0.994] mg/100g; Protein = 18.5 [16.7, 20.1] %; Omega3 = 0.175 [0.112, 0.276] g/100g; Selenium = 41.6 [23.3, 69.6] μg/100g; VitaminA = 156 [58, 488] μg/100g; Zinc = 0.743 [0.536, 1.183] mg/100g (wet weight);
