Biology
provided by Arkive
The Malabar grouper has a fascinating and complex life-history. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning that individuals first function sexually as females and then later, at least some of the mature females change to males (1). The Malabar grouper feeds on fishes and crustaceans and occasionally on octopuses (3).
Conservation
provided by Arkive
The Queensland Fisheries Service has recreational catch limits for Epinephelus species (1), but elsewhere there are not known to be any fisheries regulations in place for the Malabar grouper. It is likely to occur in many Marine Protected Areas within its range, although not all of these are carefully managed and legislation is not always enforced (1). The Malabar grouper can also be maricultured (1), which may lessen the pressure on wild populations.
Description
provided by Arkive
The Malabar grouper is a robust marine fish, with a brownish head and long body. The body is covered with small blackish-brown spots, which increase in number with age, and scattered whitish spots and blotches (2) (3). Five irregular dark brown bars are often visible on the body (3).
Habitat
provided by Arkive
The Malabar grouper occurs in a range of habitats, including coral and rocky reefs, estuaries, mangrove swamps and over sandy and muddy bottoms, from the shore to depths of 150 metres (3)
Range
provided by Arkive
Occurs in the Indo-Pacific; from the Red Sea to Tonga, north to Japan and south to Australia (1).
Status
provided by Arkive
Classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List 2007 (1).
Threats
provided by Arkive
The Malabar grouper is one of the most important groupers in commercial and recreational fisheries in the Indo-Pacific region. Because of confusion with similar Epinephelus species, there is little data regarding the extent of its exploitation (3). However, it is believed that fishing has reduced the global population of this species (1). The Malabar grouper is also captured for the live fish trade, and juveniles are caught for “mariculture grow-out”, whereby the wild juveniles are put in cages and grown until they reach a saleable size (1). In addition, habitat loss places additional pressure on populations of the Malabar grouper. In south-east Asia, the area of mangrove swamps has declined drastically and a large proportion of reefs are threatened by human activities (1). These human impacts include poor land management practices that are releasing more sediment, nutrients and pollutants into the oceans and stressing the fragile reef ecosystem. Over fishing has 'knock-on' effects that results in the increase of macro-algae that can out-compete and smother corals, and fishing using destructive methods physically devastates the reef. A further potential threat is the increase of coral bleaching events, as a result of global climate change (4).
Diseases and Parasites
provided by Fishbase
Capsalid Monogenean Infection 3. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
Migration
provided by Fishbase
Amphidromous. Refers to fishes that regularly migrate between freshwater and the sea (in both directions), but not for the purpose of breeding, as in anadromous and catadromous species. Sub-division of diadromous. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.Characteristic elements in amphidromy are: reproduction in fresh water, passage to sea by newly hatched larvae, a period of feeding and growing at sea usually a few months long, return to fresh water of well-grown juveniles, a further period of feeding and growing in fresh water, followed by reproduction there (Ref. 82692).
- Recorder
- Estelita Emily Capuli
Diseases and Parasites
provided by Fishbase
Vibriosis Disease (general). Bacterial diseases
Diseases and Parasites
provided by Fishbase
Trichodinosis. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
Diseases and Parasites
provided by Fishbase
Rhapidascaris Disease (larvae). Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
Diseases and Parasites
provided by Fishbase
Pseudorhabdosynchus Infestation. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
Diseases and Parasites
provided by Fishbase
Prosorhynchus Infestation 4. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
Diseases and Parasites
provided by Fishbase
Diplectanum Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
Diseases and Parasites
provided by Fishbase
Erilepturus Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
Diseases and Parasites
provided by Fishbase
Pseudorhabdosynochus Infestation 2. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
Diseases and Parasites
provided by Fishbase
Baldness disease in Snapper. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
Diagnostic Description
provided by Fishbase
Characterized by light grey to yellowish brown color; five slightly oblique dark brown bars that bifurcate ventrally; numerous small black spots and blotches in head and body; ctenoid scales on body except cycloid anterodorsally on body, thorax and abdomen; body with auxiliary scales; greatest depth of body 3.0-3.6 in SL; rounded caudal fin; pelvic fins, 2.0-2.6 in head length (Ref. 90102); head length 2.3-2.6 times in SL; snout length 1.7-2.0 times in upper jaw length; interorbital width 4.5-6.5 times in HL and 2.1-3.0 times in upper jaw length; flat or slightly convex interorbital area; subangular preopercle, with enlarged serrae at the angle; almost straight upper edge of operculum; subequal posterior and anterior nostrils, except in large adults which have the posterior nostrils slightly larger; maxilla reaches to or past vertical at rear edge of orbit, maxilla width 4.5-6.5% of SL; upper jaw length 17-22% of SL, 2-5 rows of teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw (Ref. 89707).
Morphology
provided by Fishbase
Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 16; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8
Trophic Strategy
provided by Fishbase
A common species found in a variety of habitats: coral and rocky reefs, tide pools, estuaries, mangrove swamps and sandy or mud bottom (Also Ref. 127989) from shore to depths of 150 m. Juveniles found near shore and in estuaries; sex reversal probable; catch statistics poor being previously confused with E. andersoni (Ref. 4332). Feed primarily on fishes and crustaceans, and occasionally on cephalopods (Refs. 9710, 127989). Known to enter estuaries (Ref. 127989).
Biology
provided by Fishbase
A common species found in a variety of habitats: coral and rocky reefs, tide pools, estuaries, mangrove swamps and sandy or mud bottom from shore to depths of 150 m. Solitary (Ref 90102). Juveniles found near shore and in estuaries; sex reversal probable; catch statistics poor being previously confused with E. andersoni (Ref. 4332). Feed primarily on fishes and crustaceans, and occasionally on cephalopods (Ref. 9710). Present in Hong Kong live fish markets (Ref. 27253). Widely used in mariculture mainly in the Far East (Ref. 43448).
- Recorder
- Estelita Emily Capuli
Importance
provided by Fishbase
fisheries: highly commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes; price category: very high; price reliability: questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this genus
- Recorder
- Estelita Emily Capuli
分布
provided by The Fish Database of Taiwan
廣泛分布於印度-太平洋之暖水域，西起非洲東岸、紅海，東至東加，北至日本，南至澳洲。台灣主要分布於北部、東部及南部海域。
利用
provided by The Fish Database of Taiwan
魚市場最常見之高經濟性石斑魚，經濟性高，是鮨科中人工繁殖與培育最成功的魚種，現今食用者，大多是養殖魚。野生種可用拖網、延繩釣、魚槍或一支釣等漁法捕獲。清蒸食之，口味佳。
描述
provided by The Fish Database of Taiwan
體長橢圓形，側扁而粗壯，標準體長為體高之3.0-3.7倍。頭背部斜直；眶間區平坦或略凸。眼小，短於吻長。口大；上下頜前端具小犬齒或無，兩側齒細尖，下頜約2-5列。鰓耙數8-11+14-18。前鰓蓋骨後緣具鋸齒，下緣光滑。鰓蓋骨後緣具3扁棘。體被細小櫛鱗；側線鱗孔數54-64；縱列鱗數101-117。背鰭鰭棘部與軟條部相連，無缺刻，具硬棘XI，軟條14-16；臀鰭硬棘III枚，軟條8；腹鰭腹位，末端延伸不及肛門開口；胸鰭圓形，中央之鰭條長於上下方之鰭條，且長於腹鰭，但短於後眼眶長；尾鰭圓形。體淺褐色，有五條微斜之暗色褐帶，有時不顯著，腹側之帶有分叉之情形。頭部、體側、胸部、下頜腹面、口緣均具黑褐色斑點；頭部及體側另具白色斑點及斑塊之散佈。
棲地
provided by The Fish Database of Taiwan
棲所多樣化，舉凡珊瑚礁區、石礫區、潮池、河口區或泥沙底區，從水深0-150公尺處皆可見其蹤跡。以魚類、甲殼類及頭足類為食。
Malabar grouper
provided by wikipedia EN
The Malabar grouper (Epinephelus malabaricus) also known as blackspot rockcod, estuary rockcod, giant rock cod, greasy grouper, Malabar rockcod, Morgan's cod or speckled grouper, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is found in the Indo-Pacific region. It has entered the Mediterranean Sea from the Red Sea by way of the Suez Canal as a Lessepsian migrant.
Distribution and habitat
The Malabar grouper is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific area from the eastern coast of Africa to the Tonga Islands, Red Sea included.[2][1] It was first recorded in the eastern Mediterranean Sea in 1969 where it remains extremely rare. Mariculture and shipping are possible vectors of introduction.[3] This grouper lives in various habitats, such as lagoons, mangroves, coral and rocky reefs, sandy and muddy bottom areas,[4] between 2 and 150 m deep.[5] The juveniles prefers lagoon or brackish areas.[4]
Description
The Malabar grouper can reach a length up to 234 cm (92 in), but average size is usually around 100 cm (39 in).[6] It has a light grey to light brownish background color, with a number of dark brown spots randomly scattered, which increase in number with age. The body has also a various number of brown diagonal stripes. Younger fish have a number of wide, broken vertical bands of darker shade across their bodies, but in maturity they seem to become a uniform darker colour. Young fish have numerous brown spots. The tail fin is rounded.[3]
Biology
Epinephelus malabaricus is a protogynous hermaphrodite, as these fishes at some point in their lifespan change sex from female to male.[5] Malabar grouper are voracious predators, they feed on fish, crustaceans, and occasionally, cephalopods.[7]
Parasites
As most fish, the Malabar grouper harbours a variety of parasites, including the diplectanid monogeneans Pseudorhabdosynochus manifestus, P. maaensis, P. malabaricus, P. manipulus, P. marcellus, and P. maternus.[8]
Uses
Malabar groupers are harvested for food, sport, and commercially; some are grown in aquaculture.
Gallery
Epinephelus malabaricus from Sudan Coast
Epinephelus malabaricus from Sabah, Malaysia
References
-
^ a b Samoilys, M.; Amorim, P.; Choat, J.H.; Law, C.; Ma, K.; Myers, R.F.; Nair, R.; Rhodes, K.; Russell, B.; Suharti, S.; To, A. (2018). "Epinephelus malabaricus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T61338A46627320. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T61338A46627320.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
-
^ a b Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2019). "Epinephelus malabaricus" in FishBase. December 2019 version.
-
^ a b Atlas of Exotic Fishes in the Mediterranean Sea (Epinephelus malabaricus). 2nd Edition. 2021. 366p. CIESM Publishers, Paris, Monaco.https://ciesm.org/atlas/fishes_2nd_edition/Epinephelus_malabaricus.pdf
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^ a b van der Elst, R.P. and F. Adkin (eds.), 1991. Marine linefish: priority species and research objectives in southern Africa. Oceanogr. Res. Inst., Spec. Publ. No.1. 132 p.
-
^ a b Heemstra, P.C. and J.E. Randall, 1993. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 16. Groupers of the world (family Serranidae, subfamily Epinephelinae). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of the grouper, rockcod, hind, coral grouper and lyretail species known to date. Rome: FAO. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(16):382 p.
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^ Fischer, W., I. Sousa, C. Silva, A. de Freitas, J.M. Poutiers, W. Schneider, T.C. Borges, J.P. Feral and A. Massinga, 1990. Fichas FAO de identificaçío de espécies para actividades de pesca. Guía de campo das espécies comerciais marinhas e de águas salobras de Moçambique. Publicaçao preparada em collaboraçao com o Instituto de Investigaçao Pesquiera de Moçambique, com financiamento do Projecto PNUD/FAO MOZ/86/030 e de NORAD. Roma, FAO. 1990. 424 p.
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^ Lieske, E. and R. Myers, 1994. Collins Pocket Guide. Coral reef fishes. Indo-Pacific & Caribbean including the Red Sea. Harper Collins Publishers, 400 p.
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^ Justine, Jean-Lou, and Aude Sigura. "Monogeneans of the malabar grouper Epinephelus malabaricus (Perciformes, Serranidae) off New Caledonia, with a description of six new species of Pseudorhabdosynochus (Monogenea: Diplectanidae)." Zootaxa 1543 (2007): 1–44. Abstract
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Malabar grouper: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
The Malabar grouper (Epinephelus malabaricus) also known as blackspot rockcod, estuary rockcod, giant rock cod, greasy grouper, Malabar rockcod, Morgan's cod or speckled grouper, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is found in the Indo-Pacific region. It has entered the Mediterranean Sea from the Red Sea by way of the Suez Canal as a Lessepsian migrant.
- license
- cc-by-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
Description
provided by World Register of Marine Species
A common species found in a variety of habitats: coral and rocky reefs, tidepools, estuaries, mangrove swamps and sandy/mud bottom from shore to depths of 150 m. Juveniles found nearshore and in estuaries; sex reversal probable; catch statistics poor being previously confused with @E. andersoni@ (Ref. 4332).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly (Editors). (2023). FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. version (02/2023).
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