| Greasy grouper | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Serranidae |
| Genus: | Epinephelus |
| Species: | E. tauvina |
| Binomial name | |
| Epinephelus tauvina Forsskål, 1775 |
|
Also known as the Arabian Grouper. Its common Arabic name is Hamoor (هامور).
Contents |
The Greasy grouper grows up to 75cm in length. Its head and body are pale greenish grey or brown with round spots, varying from orange-red to dark brown. A group of black spots may be visible on the body at the base of the rear of the dorsal fin. Five vertical darker shaded bars may also be present on the body. Similar species: Epinephelus corallicola and Epinephelus howlandi have shorter bodies and spots less closely spaced.
Widely distributed; from the Red Sea to South Africa, as far north as Japan, and in the waters around Australia.
It is found in clear water areas associated with coral reefs from 1-300m deep, where it feeds on smaller fish.
Eating this fish may be associated with ciguatera poisoning