Squaretail coralgrouper (Plectropomus areolatus)

Scientific name: Plectropomus areolatus R?ppell, 1830

Squaretail coralgrouper (Plectropomus areolatus)

The Squaretail coralgrouper (Plectropomus areolatus) is a marine fish of the family Serranidae. Native range: Indo-Pacific, Red Sea to the Phoenix Islands and Samoa, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to Australia.

Biology

Adults inhabit lagoon and seaward reefs, in areas with rich coral growth. Most frequently encountered in channels along the reef front. Often a shy fish. Feed exclusively on fishes. Misidentified as P. leopardus in (Johannes, pers. comm.). This study reports of a declining stock in Palau due to fishing. Before actual spawning around full moon, the species aggregates along channels and are responsive to baited hooks, making them vulnerable to fishermen; upward movements of some to take baited hooks presumably mistaken for courtship or spawning behavior. Large individuals may be ciguatoxic in certain areas. In the Hong Kong live fish markets.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Plectropomus areolatus
Family
Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
73.0
Depth range
1–20 m (3–66 ft)
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 20 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea to the Phoenix Islands and Samoa, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to Australia.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Vulnerable (VU) (A4d)
Threat to humans
Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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