| Family: |
Epinephelidae (Groupers) |
| Max. size: |
122 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 23 kg |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; marine; depth range 5 - 380 m |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Central Pacific: known only from the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Island. |
| 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: juveniles greyish brown to dark brown body color with 8 vertical series of white spots on body; adults dark brown with less distinct vertical series of white spots and obscured by numerous additional pale spots and blotches of variable size; fins mostly unspotted; depth of body contained 2.3-2.7 times in SL, width 2.0-2.5 times in depth; head length 2.3-2.5 times in SL; convex interorbital area, width subequal to eye diameter for fish 10-20cm SL; subangular preopercle, 3-5 enlarged serrae at angle; fleshy ventral edge of preopercle, without serrae; smooth edge of interopercle and subopercle or with a few serrae; convex upper edge of operculum; ovate and enlarged posterior nostrils of adults, larger than anterior nostrils (Ref. 89707). |
| Biology: |
Occurs in deep waters (Ref. 7364). Benthic and benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Feeds mainly on fish and crustaceans (Ref. 89707). A good fish to eat, fleshy, eaten any way except raw (Ref. 7364). Minimum depth from Ref. 122680. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 21 March 2018 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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