Scientific Name
Epinephelus stoliczkae

Common Name
Epaulet grouper

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-18; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Body robust, preopercle with moderately enlarged serrae at its angle; upper edge of the operculum almost straight; nostrils subequal or posterior nostril slightly larger. Head and body yellowish gray, with dark orange-red or reddish brown spots except ventrally and posteriorly; dark gray bars running antero-ventrally from the base of the dorsal fin; a dark saddle blotch on the caudal peduncle. Fins generally yellowish brown; median fins with broad yellowish margin posteriorly.

Classification

Classified By

Day, 1875

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets (Serranidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Indian Ocean

Distribution

Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea (including Gulf of Suez) and northwestern Indian Ocean to the coast of Pakistan. Specimens examined include those from the Gulf of Oman. Not reported from the Gulf of Aqaba nor from Persian Gulf.

Range

29°N - 10°N, 32°E - 68°E

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; reef-associated

Trophic Level

3.73 s.e. 0.60 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

38.0 cm

Common Length

35.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (35 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Data deficient (DD)