Convict Grouper

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).

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 15; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 9

Inhabits rocky areas in Southern Japan (Ref. 9137).

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.

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

分布於西北太平洋區，包括韓國、日本、中國及台灣等沿岸。台灣主要產於北部、西南沿海及南部海域。

具經濟性之食用魚，已可人工養殖。一般漁法以延繩網、魚槍、陷阱法及一支釣等捕獲。清蒸食用佳。

體長橢圓形，側扁而粗壯，標準體長為體高之2.1-2.4倍。頭背部斜直；眶間區略凹。眼小，短於吻長。口大；上下頜前端具小犬齒或無，兩側齒細尖。鰓耙數8-10+11-14。前鰓蓋骨後緣具鋸齒，下緣光滑。鰓蓋骨後緣具3扁棘。體被細小櫛鱗；側線鱗孔數63-71；縱列鱗數105-120。背鰭鰭棘部與軟條部相連，無缺刻，具硬棘XI，軟條13-16；臀鰭硬棘III枚，軟條9；腹鰭腹位，末端延伸不及肛門開口；胸鰭圓形，中央之鰭條長於上下方之鰭條，且長於腹鰭，但短於後眼眶長；尾鰭圓形。頭部、體側及各鰭淺褐至灰褐色，體側具9條淡色至白色橫帶，但項部及尾鰭基部上之橫帶通常不顯；上頜溝暗色；尾鰭具白緣。

主要棲息於沿岸礁區。通常被發現於洞穴或岩縫間。以魚類及甲殼類為食。

Hyporthodus septemfasciatus, the convict grouper, is a large species of grouper known from the waters of Japan, South Korea and China. Reports from western Australia are treated as misidentifications of Hyporthodus octofasciatus. This species is unique among the groupers that it can tolerate temperatures of down to 8°C (46.4°F) and can grow up to 155 cm and 62.8 kg (61 inches and 138 lbs). This reef-associated species is found at depths of 5-30 m (16 to 98 ft) and feeds on small fishes and crustaceans. In Japan, it is prized as a food fish and commercially cultured.

This species is considered by some researchers to be a member of the genus Epinephelus.

Known from seamounts and knolls