Haifa Grouper

Distinguished by the following characteristics: dark brown head and body color; soft dorsal, caudal and anal fins blackish distally, basal part lighter; white edge on caudal and pectoral fins; blackish pelvic fins; black streak on cheek at the upper edge of maxilla; depth of body contained 2.4-2.8 times in SL; head length 2.2-2.4 times in SL; convex interorbital area; subangular preopercle, with enlarged serrae at the angle, lower edge with 1-6 small serrae; posterior nostrils 2-3 times larger than anterior nostrils; maxilla naked, not reaching posterior to eye; 2 rows of teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw, inner teeth distinctly larger than outer teeth (Ref. 89707).

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

Deep-water species. Occurs on mud, sand, or rocky bottoms (Ref. 89707).

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