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Epinephelus irroratus (Forster, 1801) Marquesan grouper |
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photo by
Randall, J.E. |
| Family: | Epinephelidae (Groupers) | |||
| Max. size: | 34 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 770.0 g | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine; depth range - 50 m | |||
| Distribution: | Pacific Ocean: known only from the Marquesan Islands and one specimen from Minami Tori Shima, Marcus Islands, Japan (although this report may be erroneous). | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-16; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Distinguished by the following characteristics: reddish brown color with white dot on each scale giving finely speckled appearance; dark reddish brown maxillary streak; prominent dark red margin on spinous dorsal fin; rear edges of median and pectoral fins with white line; body depth contained 2.7-3.3 times in SL; head length 2.4-2.6 times in SL; slightly convex interorbital area and dorsal head profile; rounded and slightly indented preopercle angle, lower serrae scarcely enlarged; upper edge of operculum almost straight; posterior nostrils about twice the size of anterior nostrils; maxilla reaching or just past vertical at rear edge of eye; 2-4 rows of teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw (Ref. 89707). | |||
| Biology: | Abundant in shallow water around fringing reefs. Nothing has been published on its biology. | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 December 2017 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||