Hyporthodus perplexus (Randall, Hoese & Last, 1991)
Puzzling grouper
photo by FAO

Family:  Epinephelidae (Groupers)
Max. size:  46.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 129 - 137 m
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: known only from the holotype taken from Cape Moreton, Queensland, Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-13; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Distinguished by the following characteristics: depth of body contained 2.9 times in SL; head length 2.3-2.4 times in SL; snout length 3.8 times, eye diameter 6.0 times, interorbital width 6.8 times and suborbital depth 9.5 times in HL; slightly convex interorbital area; finely serrate preopercle, angle produced into a bulge bearing 7 moderately enlarged serrae; straight or nearly straight upper edge of operculum; ovate posterior nostrils, about twice the size of anterior nostrils; 2 rows of teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw (Ref. 89707).
Biology:  Known from the holotype collected from F.I.V. 'Endeavour'. The absence of additional specimens may indicate an unusually deep habitat for this species.
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 18 November 2016 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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