Areolate grouper (Epinephelus areolatus) fish species and information / pictures of Areolate grouper - Epinephelus areolatus

Areolate grouper (Epinephelus areolatus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Epinephelus areolatus

Common Name
Areolate grouper

Biology
Usually found in seagrass beds or on fine sediment bottoms near rocky reefs, dead coral, or alcyonarians (Ref. 5222), in shallow continental shelf waters (Ref. 27353). Juveniles are common at water depths to 80 m (Ref. 6390). Probably spawn during restricted periods and form aggregations when doing so (Ref. 27352). Eggs and early larvae are probably pelagic (Ref. 6390). Feed on fish and benthic invertebrates, primarily prawns and crabs (Ref. 4787, 27354).

Classification

Classified By
Forssk?l, 1775
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets (Serranidae)

Distribution

Region
Indo-Pacific
Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and the Persian Gulf to Natal, South Africa and east to Fiji, north to Japan, south to the Arafura Sea (Ref. 9819) and northern Australia. Recently recorded from Tonga (Ref. 53797). Appears to be absent from Micronesia, Polynesia, and most islands of the western Indian Ocean. Often confused with Epinephelus chlorostigma.
Range
35°N - 33°S, 29°E - 180°E

Environment

Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
6 m
Depth To - meters
200 m
Zone
reef-associated
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 6 - 200 m (Ref. 2334)
Trophic Level
3.58 s.e. 0.58 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
True
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
47.0 cm
Common Length
35.0 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial
Vulnerability
Moderate vulnerability (36 of 100)
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.31; tm=2; tmax=25)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Least Concern (LC)