Malabar Grouper

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).

Capsalid Monogenean Infection 3. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Baldness disease in Snapper. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Pseudorhabdosynochus Infestation 2. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Erilepturus Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Diplectanum Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Prosorhynchus Infestation 4. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Pseudorhabdosynchus Infestation. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Rhapidascaris Disease (larvae). Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Trichodinosis. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Vibriosis Disease (general). Bacterial diseases

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).

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 16; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8

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).

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).

fisheries: highly commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes; price category: very high; price reliability: questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this genus