Whitespotted grouper (Epinephelus coeruleopunctatus)

Scientific name: Epinephelus coeruleopunctatus Bloch, 1790

Whitespotted grouper (Epinephelus coeruleopunctatus)

The Whitespotted grouper (Epinephelus coeruleopunctatus) is a marine fish of the family Serranidae.

Biology

Occurs in rocky or coral-rich areas of deep lagoons, channels and outer reef slopes; usually in or near caves. Juveniles are found in tide pools. Feeds on fish and crustaceans. In Hong Kong live fish markets.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Epinephelus coeruleopunctatus
Family
Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
76.0
Depth range
2–65 m (7–213 ft)
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 65 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Indo-Pacific: East Africa south to East London, South Africa and east to Fiji. Recently recorded from Tonga. It is not known from the Red Sea, but it does occur in the Persian Gulf. Record from northwestern Australia is doubtful. It is closely related to, and is often confused with, three other white-spotted species: Epinephelus ongus, Epinephelus summana, and Epinephelus corallicola.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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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