Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) >
Perciformes (Perch-likes) >
Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets) > Epinephelinae
Etymology: Cephalopholis: Greek, kephale = head + Greek, pholis = scale (Ref. 45335).
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 60 m (Ref. 5222), usually 3 - 15 m (Ref. 9710). Tropical, preferred ?; 34°N - 30°S, 33°E - 131°W (Ref. 5222)
Indo-Pacific: Kenya to northern South Africa and eastward to French Polynesia and the Pitcairn Islands. Unknown from the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, and the coast of India.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?, range 17 - ? cm
Max length : 28.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5222)
Dorsal
spines
(total): 9;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 14-16;
Anal
spines: 3;
Anal
soft rays: 8 - 9. Distinguished by the following characteristics: fin with a pair of diagonal white bands; body scales ctenoid; greatest depth of body 2.7-3.1 in SL; rounded caudal fin; pelvic fins 1.8-2.2 in head length (Ref. 90102); head length 2.4-2.7 in SL; convex interorbital area; rounded preopercle, finely serrate, fleshy lower edge; subopercle and interopercle usually smooth; maxilla reaching well past eye; pectoral fins distinctly longer than pelvic fins; caudal fin rounded; snout and maxilla with minute cycloid scales (Ref. 089707).
Inhabits clear, shallow waters of outer reef areas. Also found in lagoons, back-reef areas, and on the reef-top. Prefers healthy coral reef in shallow area therefore is greatly affected by reef degredation (Ref. 089707). Feeds on small fishes (68%) and crustaceans. Solitary (Ref 90102).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Protogyny is unconfirmed for this species (Ref. 103751).
Heemstra, P.C. and J.E. Randall, 1993. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 16. Groupers of the world (family Serranidae, subfamily Epinephelinae). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of the grouper, rockcod, hind, coral grouper and lyretail species known to date. Rome: FAO. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(16):382 p. (Ref. 5222)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)
CITES (Ref. 94142)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquarium: potential
More information
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Estimates of some properties based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82805): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01202 (0.00735 - 0.01966), b=3.05 (2.91 - 3.19), in cm Total Length, based on LWR estimates for this species & Genus-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic Level (Ref.
69278): 4.0 ±0.69 se; Based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
69278): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (14 of 100) .