Epinephelus coeruleopunctatus

(Bloch, 1790)

Vernacular names
English : Whitespotted grouper
French : Mérou à taches blanches

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

Identification
The species reaches 76 cm in length. Adults are dark brown with blue tinge around lips, belly and fin. Indistinct snowflake to star shaped white spots on flanks. Juveniles dark grey to black with big and small white dots.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in the Indo-Pacific Area, from the Persian Gulf (but not Red Sea) and East Africa to Tonga, south Japan and north Australia. Lives in deep lagoons, outer reefs, often with rich coral growth, to 65 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is globally uncommon throughout its large range. It is locally targeted by fisheries but only in small numbers. Monitoring recommended.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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