Eightbar grouper (Epinephelus octofasciatus)
Facts – Eightbar grouper
| Also known as: | Convict grouper, convict rockcod |
|---|---|
| Synonyms: | Epinephelus compressus |
| French: | Merou Bagnard |
| Spanish: | Mero Carcelario |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Perciformes |
| Family | Serranidae |
| Genus | Epinephelus (1) |
| Size | Max length: at least 1,300 mm (1) |
Status – Eightbar grouper
The eightbar grouper is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1).
Description – Eightbar grouper
The eightbar grouper (Epinephelus octofasciatus) owes its name quite simply to the presence of eight, broad, dark-brown bars that cross its body from the nape to the caudal fin. A faint brown band also runs from the eye to the operculum, while the rest of its robust body is largely buff in colour. The pelvic fins, the latter half of the anal fins and the spiny dorsal fin are blackish brown (2) (3).
Range – Eightbar grouper
Habitat – Eightbar grouper
Biology – Eightbar grouper
Very little is known about the biology of the eightbar grouper (1), but like other Epinephelus species, it is probably a protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning that individuals begin mature life as female and change sex later to become male (2). Epinephelus species tend to be voracious predators, with fish and crustaceans taken near the sea bottom forming the bulk of prey (2) (4). The maximum lifespan of the eightbar grouper has been estimated at 56 years (1).
Threats – Eightbar grouper
The eightbar grouper is threatened by commercial, and probably recreational, fisheries, particularly in Western Australia, but the extent of the impact is not known. Although it is seemingly rare throughout its range, its abundance might be underestimated owing to its preference for deeper waters (1).
Conservation – Eightbar grouper
Further research into the eightbar grouper’s reproductive biology, population size and its involvement in fisheries is crucial to accurately assessing its conservation status (1).
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View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre. |
Find out more – Eightbar grouper
For further information on the conservation of groupers:
-
Grouper and Wrasse Specialist Group:
http://www.hku.hk/ecology/GroupersWrasses/iucnsg
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Glossary
- Anal fins: In fish, an unpaired fin on the under surface of a fish, behind the anus.
- Caudal fin: The tail fin of a fish, used for steering, balancing or propulsion.
- Crustaceans: Diverse group of arthropods (a phylum of animals with jointed limbs and a hard chitinous exoskeleton) characterised by the possession of two pairs of antennae, one pair of mandibles (parts of the mouthparts used for handling and processing food) and two pairs of maxillae (appendages used in eating, which are located behind the mandibles). Includes crabs, lobsters, shrimps, slaters, woodlice and barnacles.
- Dorsal fin: The unpaired fin found on the back of the body of fish, or the raised structure on the back of most cetaceans.
- Operculum: A hard, bony flap that covers and protects the gill slits of fish.
- Pelvic fins: In fish, the pair of fins found on the underside of the body.
- Protogynous hermaphrodite: An animal that begins its life cycle as a female. As the animal ages, based on internal or external triggers, it shifts sex to become a male animal.
References
-
IUCN Red List (April, 2011)
http://www.iucnredlist.org/ - Heemstra, P.C. and Randall, J.E. (1993) FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 16: Groupers of the World. Food and Agricultural Organization, Rome.
- Rome, B., Newman, S.J., Jackson, G. and Norriss, J. (2007) Gascoyne Wetline Fish Identification Field Guide. Department of Fisheries, Perth, Western Australia.
- Campbell, A. and Dawes, J. (2004) Encyclopedia of Underwater Life. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
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Image credit
© John E. Randall
Dr. John E. Randall
jackr@hawaii.rr.com
http://fishbase.sinica.edu.tw/photos/HI_Reef_Shore_Fishes.pdf
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