Malabar grouper (Epinephelus malabaricus) fish species and information / pictures of Malabar grouper - Epinephelus malabaricus

Malabar grouper (Epinephelus malabaricus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Epinephelus malabaricus

Common Name
Malabar grouper

Biology
A common species found in a variety of habitats: coral and rocky reefs, tide pools, estuaries, mangrove swamps and sandy or mud bottom from shore to depths of 150 m. Juveniles found near shore and in estuaries; sex reversal probable; catch statistics poor being previously confused with E. andersoni (Ref. 4332). Feeds primarily on fishes and crustaceans, and occasionally on cephalopods (Ref. 9710). In Hong Kong live fish markets (Ref. 27253). Widely used in mariculture mainly in the Far East (Ref. 43448).

Classification

Classified By
Bloch & Schneider, 1801
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 Tonga, north to Japan, south to Australia. It is not known from the Persian Gulf, where the closely related Epinephelus coioides is common.
Range
30°N - 32°S, 29°E - 173°W

Environment

Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
0 m
Depth To - meters
150 m
Zone
reef-associated
Environment
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; amphidromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 150 m (Ref. 5222)
Trophic Level
3.75 s.e. 0.65 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
True
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
True
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
234 cm
Common Length
100.0 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: highly commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes
Vulnerability
Very high vulnerability (85 of 100)
Resilience
Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Near Threatened (NT) , IUCN Grouper and Wrasse Specialist Group