Scientific Name
Epinephelus fuscoguttatus

Common Name
Brown-marbled grouper

Biology
Occurs in lagoon pinnacles, channels, and outer reef slopes, in coral-rich (Ref. 1937) areas and with clear waters. Juveniles in seagrass beds (Ref. 30573, 41878). Feeds on fishes, crabs, and cephalopods. May be ciguatoxic in some areas (Ref. 1602). Mainly active at dusk (Ref. 48635). Palau fishers increase their drop-line and spear-gun catches through knowledge of reproductive cycle of remochel, one of most important species in the area (Ref. 2928). Cultured under experimental conditions in the Philippines; a candidate for aquaculture in Singapore. In Hong Kong live fish markets (Ref. 27253).

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 East Africa to Samoa and the Phoenix Islands, north to Japan, south to Australia. Unknown from the Persian Gulf, Hawaii, and French Polynesia. Often confused with Epinephelus polyphekadion (=Epinephelus microdon of recent authors).

Range

35°N - 27°S, 39°E - 171°W

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

1 m

Depth To - meters

60 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 60 m (Ref. 9710)

Trophic Level

4.14 s.e. 0.72 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

120 cm

Common Length

50.0 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: minor commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (50 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.16-0.20)

Threat To Humans

Reports of ciguatera poisoning (Ref. 4690)

IUCN Red List Status

Near Threatened (NT) , IUCN Grouper and Wrasse Specialist Group