Plectropomus areolatus

(Rüppell, 1830)

Vernacular names
English : Squaretail coralgrouper
French : Mérou queue-carrée

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

Identification
The species can grow to 80 cm in length. Gently sloping forehead, tail fin with straight edge. Coloration light grey to white with numerous dark-edged round to oval light blue spots. Broad dark saddle-like markings on back. Black edges on fins.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from Red Sea and east Africa to Phoenix islands and Samoa, north to south Japan, south to Australia. Lives in lagoons and seaward reefs, in rich coral growth areas, to 70 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is targeted by fisheries in parts of its range and the levels of catching are believed to be unsustainable, especially in Asia.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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