| Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets), subfamily: Epinephelinae |
| 100 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 18 kg |
|
reef-associated; depth range 2 - 137 m |
| Western Atlantic: Bermuda, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean south to Sao Paulo, Brazil. |
|
Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-16; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 10-12. Distinguished by the following characteristics: Head and body have oval groups of dark spots; outer third of pectoral fin bright yellow (Ref. 26938); two color morphs: a deep-water reddish form and shallow-water greenish form; depth of body contained 2.9-3.2 times in SL; head length 2.6-2.9 times in SL; convex interorbital area; evenly rounded preopercle or with slight notch, without projecting bony lobe at the angle; nostrils subequal or posterior nostrils with diameter twice the size of anterior nostrils (Ref. 89707). |
| Adults found on rocky and coral reefs, juveniles occur in shallow turtle grass beds. Also been taken in trawls over mud bottom in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Feeds mainly on fishes (mostly on coral reef species) and squids. Although often implicated in ciguatera poisonings, it is a desirable food fish; and even large (5 to 10 kg) fish from areas considered safe are sold in markets. Also caught with surface trolling. Sex-reversal has been observed (Ref. 5521). |
|
Near Threatened
(Ref. 96402)
, IUCN Grouper and Wrasse Specialist Group
|
| reports of ciguatera poisoning |
|
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