Grouper

Have a large spots on the soft-rayed portions of the fins and a fine pattern of small close-set spots on the body and spinous portions of the fins (Ref. 37816); further characterized by having ctenoid scales on body except cycloid anteriorly above lateral line, thorax and abdomen; body with auxiliary scales; greatest depth of body 2.8-3.2 in SL; rounded caudal fin; pelvic fins, 1.7-2.1 in head length (Ref. 90102); head length 2.4-2.6 times in SL; convex interorbital, slightly concave dorsal head profile at eyes; subangular preopercle, shallow notch just above the angle and the serrae at the angle enlarged in juveniles; straight upper edge of operculum; diameter of posterior nostrils about twice that of anterior nostril; maxilla reaches vertical at rear edge of eye; 2-4 rows of teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw; pyloric caeca 30 (Ref. 89707).

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16 - 17; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8

Inhabit rocky regions (Ref. 9137). Found in a variety of habitats. Juveniles (8 - 21 cm SL) have been taken from mud bottoms, seagrass beds, mangrove swamps, and from coral reefs in depths of 1 to 16 m; adults in coral reefs at depths of 18 to 180 m. Stomach contents reported to include juvenile clappid crab, a stomatopod, and a gastropod (Ref. 6448).

Found in a variety of habitats. Solitary (Ref 90102). Juveniles (8-21 cm SL) have been taken from mud bottoms, seagrass beds, mangrove swamps, and from coral reefs in depths of 1 to 16 m; adults in coral reefs at depths of 18 to 180 m (Ref. 89707). Stomach contents reported to include juvenile clappid crab, a stomatopod, and a gastropod (Ref. 6448).

fisheries: minor commercial; price category: very high; price reliability: questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this genus

Found in a variety of habitats. Juveniles (8 - 21 cm SL) have been taken on mud bottom, seagrass beds, mangrove swamps, and from coral reefs in depths of 1 to 16 m; adults in coral reefs in depths of 18 to 180 m. Stomach contents reported to include juvenile clappid crab, a stomatopod, and a gastropod (Ref. 6448).