| Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets), subfamily: Epinephelinae |
| 50 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 7,000.0 g |
|
reef-associated; depth range 6 - 150 m, non-migratory |
| Indo-Pacific: Red Sea to South Africa and eastward to French Polynesia. Reported from the Arafura Sea (Ref. 9819). Reports by Heemstra & Randall (1984, Ref. 3153) from the Gulf of Oman, Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka are unsubstantiated. Absent from the Persian Gulf and is not yet known from Lakshadweep Islands. |
|
Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-16; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Characterized by orange-red color with six brown saddles/bars on side with pale areas in between; head, body and fins with small blue spots; body scales ctenoid, including abdomen; greatest depth of body 2.6-3.1 in SL; rounded caudal fin; pelvic fins, 1.9-2.3 in head length (Ref. 90102); interorbital area flat to slightly convex; dorsal head profile of large specimens distinctly concave above eyes; rounded preopercle, finely serrate in young, virtually smooth in large adults, lower edge fleshy; small serrae in subopercle and interopercle mostly hidden by skin; scaly maxilla, reaching past eye (Ref. 089707). |
| Found in rich coastal to outer reefs, usually along deep walls with caves, rich with invertebrate growth such as large sponges or soft corals (Ref. 48635). A secretive species. Active nocturnally in shallow water and diurnally in deeper water (Ref. 5222). Often seen with the cleaner shrimp Periclimenes elegans (Ref. 37816). Feeds mainly on fishes (Ref. 5222). Solitary or in small groups (Ref 90102). Reaches sexual maturity at 25 cm SL (Ref. 089707). |
|
(Ref. 96402)
|
| harmless |
|
Recorded from Sarangani Bay, Bongo Island and Paril-Sangay Protected Seascape, Moro Gulf (Ref. 106380). Museum: Labrian Blanda Is., USNM 175252. Also Ref. 5222, 53416, 59110. |
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