Hyporthodus septemfasciatus (Thunberg, 1793)
Convict grouper
Hyporthodus septemfasciatus
photo by FAO

 Family:  Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets), subfamily: Epinephelinae
 Max. size:  155 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 63 kg
 Environment:  reef-associated; depth range 5 - 30 m, non-migratory
 Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: known with certainty only from Japan, Korea, and China. Reports from other areas appear to be based on misidentifications of Epinephelus octofasciatus.
 Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-15; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Distinguished by the following characteristics: buff body with 7-8 dark bars; 3 pale interspaces below soft dorsal fin; last dark bar covers most of caudal peduncle and extends to the base of the last 2-3 dorsal fin rays; blackish brown pelvic fin rays; median fins blackish brown distally with narrow pale margin; dark maxillary streak usually hidden by maxilla; pale gill rakers and gill arches, without minute melanophores; depth of body contained 2.5-3.1 times in SL; head length 2.4-2.6 times in SL; distinctly convex interorbital area, convex dorsal head profile; diameter of posterior nostrils of adults 3-4 times bigger than anterior nostrils; angular preopercle, with enlarged serrae at angle; 1-2 small spines anterior to angle at lower edge of preopercle; serrate or smooth lower edge of subopercle and rear edge of interopercle, convex upper edge of operculum; maxilla reaches to below rear half of eye, distinct step on lower edge of maxilla; 2 rows of teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw (Ref. 89707).
 Biology:  Occurs near shore, including semi-enclosed sea areas in rocky reefs in shallow waters (Ref. 11230). Feeds on fishes and crustaceans (Ref. 89707). Commercially cultured in Japan.
 IUCN Red List Status:   (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:   
 

 Entered by: Agustin, Liza Q. - 19.11.92
 Modified by: Valdestamon, Roxanne Rei - 25.10.13
 Checked by: Capuli, Estelita Emily - 26.04.94

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