Epinephelus geoffroyi (Klunzinger, 1870)

Family:  Epinephelidae (Groupers)
Max. size:  40.8 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 32 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea and the western Gulf of Aden endemic.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-18; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8; Vertebrae: 34-34. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D XI,16-18 (usually 17); pectoral rays 17-18; lateral-line scales usually 49-52; gill rakers 25-29; caudal fin is slightly emarginate; the membranes of spinous portion of dorsal fin slightly incised; the third or fourth dorsal spines longest, 2.5-3.2 in head length; soft portion of anal fin is distinctly angular, with third or fourth ray longest, 1.8-2.7 in HL. Colouration: head, body, and fins whitish with numerous, small, close-set, dark brown spots, becoming more widely spaced on the abdomen and ches and the posterior margin of caudal fin without a narrow, clear whitish margin (Ref. 93732).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 22 November 2016 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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