| Family: |
Epinephelidae (Groupers) |
| Max. size: |
155 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 63 kg |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 5 - 30 m, non-migratory |
| Distribution: |
Northwest Pacific: known with certainty only from Japan, Korea, and China. Reports from other areas appear to be based on misidentifications of Epinephelus octofasciatus. |
| 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: buff body with 7-8 dark bars; 3 pale interspaces below soft dorsal fin; last dark bar covers most of caudal peduncle and extends to the base of the last 2-3 dorsal fin rays; blackish brown pelvic fin rays; median fins blackish brown distally with narrow pale margin; dark maxillary streak usually hidden by maxilla; pale gill rakers and gill arches, without minute melanophores; depth of body contained 2.5-3.1 times in SL; head length 2.4-2.6 times in SL; distinctly convex interorbital area, convex dorsal head profile; diameter of posterior nostrils of adults 3-4 times bigger than anterior nostrils; angular preopercle, with enlarged serrae at angle; 1-2 small spines anterior to angle at lower edge of preopercle; serrate or smooth lower edge of subopercle and rear edge of interopercle, convex upper edge of operculum; maxilla reaches to below rear half of eye, distinct step on lower edge of maxilla; 2 rows of teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw (Ref. 89707). |
| Biology: |
Occurs near shore, including semi-enclosed sea areas in rocky reefs in shallow waters (Ref. 11230). Feeds on fishes and crustaceans (Ref. 89707). Commercially cultured in Japan. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 27 March 2018 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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