Scientific Name
Plectropomus maculatus

Common Name
Spotted coralgrouper

Biology
Found in protected coastal reef in mixed algae and coral habitat (Ref. 48635). Common on inshore coastal reefs but absent in clear offshore reefs (Ref. 9710). Juveniles have a demersal existence in shallow water in reef habitats, especially around coral rubble (Ref. 27259). Migrate over short distances to spawn, forming aggregations (Ref. 6390). May move into shallow water to feed (Ref. 6390). Eggs float just below the water surface (Ref. 6390). Pelagic larvae are found in habitats similar to those of the adults (Ref. 27260). Juveniles feed on small fish and invertebrates such as crustaceans and squid (Ref. 27261). Commonly used for food. Its flesh is delicate and well appreciated (Ref. 5503).

Classification

Classified By

Bloch, 1790

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets (Serranidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Pacific

Distribution

Western Pacific: Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Arafura Sea (Ref. 9819), Solomon Islands, and Australia (from Houtman Abrolhos in Western Australia to Gladstone, Queensland) (Ref. 3150). This species was formerly listed as occurring in the western Indian Ocean based on a misidentification of Plectropomus pessuliferus.

Range

21°N - 28°S, 117°E - 159°E

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

5 m

Depth To - meters

100 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 5 - 100 m (Ref. 6390)

Trophic Level

4.1100001335144 s.e. 0.70 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

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

100.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5078 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (51 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.21; tm=2-3)

Threat To Humans

Reports of ciguatera poisoning (Ref. 30298)

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)