Epinephelus lanceolatus

Osteichthyes Serranidae Genus Epinephelus Epinephelus lanceolatus
Giant grouper EEN
~47 cm TL
Characteristic features:
Colour:

Small juveniles (less than 15 cm) yellow with irregular broad black bars on the body. Subadults (25 to 60 cm SL) with irregular white or yellow spots on black areas on body, and fins with irregular black spots. Adults (90 to 165 cm) dark brown with faint mottling and fins with numerous small black spots and large adults (180 to 250 cm) dark brown, fins becoming darker.

Size:

Up to 200 cm TL.

Distribution:

Indo-West and Central Pacific in tropical waters.

Habitat:

Coral reefs from 1 to 200 m depth.

Indonesian fisheries:

Caught with hook-and-line and spear.

Similar species:

A distinct species, easily identified by its colouration: Small juveniles (less than 15 cm) yellow with irregular broad black bars on the body. Subadults (25 to 60 cm SL) with irregular white or yellow spots on black areas on body, and fins with irregular black spots. Adults (90 to 165 cm) dark brown with faint mottling and fins with numerous small black spots and large adults (180 to 250 cm) dark brown, fins becoming darker.

 

External links:

FishBase
The IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM