| Family: |
Epinephelidae (Groupers) |
| Max. size: |
48 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; freshwater; brackish |
| Distribution: |
Asia and Oceania: Andaman Is., Indonesia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, New Ireland, Australia and the Solomon Islands. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-16; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Distinguished by the following characteristics: dark brown to nearly blackish color; fins with small white to yellowish-white dots; weakly ctenoid scales on body except cycloid anteriorly above lateral line, on thorax and abdomen; body with auxiliary scales; greatest depth of body 2.6-3.0 in SL; rounded caudal fin; pelvic fins, 1.9-2.2 in head length (Ref. 90102); head length 2.3-2.7 times in SL; flat interorbital area; short snout, length subequal to eye diameter; preorbital depth less than greatest width of upper lip; rounded preopercle, finely serrate, serrae at angle slightly enlarged; upper edge of operculum mostly enlarged; funnel-shaped anterior nostrils, rear margin expanded as a flap reaching posterior nostril; posterior nostril diameter 2-4 times larger than anterior nostril diameter; maxilla reaches past vertical at rear edge of eye, lower edge with rounded step at front of widest part; 2-3 rows of small subequal teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw; presence of 2 short stout canines at front of both jaws; pyloric caeca 8 (Ref. 89707). |
| Biology: |
Found in estuaries (Ref. 75154). Usual habitat seems to be mangrove areas (Ref. 5222). Benthic (Ref. 75154). Forms large aggregations in shallow waters of river mouths and brackish mangrove regions throughout the year, prior to new moon (Ref. 89707). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 22 November 2016 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
| Country info: |
A 19 cm SL female specimen from the Philippines was found ripe (Ref. 5222). Museum: Luzon, Lagonoy Gulf, USNM 184602. Near mouth of Tayabas River, USNM 184603. Also Ref. 4787, 90102, 89707. |
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