Plectropomus laevis

(Lacepède, 1801)

Vernacular names
English : Blacksaddled coralgrouper
French : Mérou sellé

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Perciformes
Family : Serranidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can grow to 125 cm in length for a weight of 24 kg. White coloration with 5 brown to black saddle markings on crown and back. Upper head yellowish, bright yellow tail. Adults show blue dots on flanks, old specimens are dark.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from east Africa to Tuamoto Islands, north to Ryukyu islands, south to Australia. Lives in coral-rich areas of lagoons, seaward reefs and channels, to 100 m deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species has a large range and is globally uncommon. It is targeted by fisheries in parts of its range, especially in Asia.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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