Greasy grouper
| 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 | |
The greasy grouper (Epinephelus tauvina), also known as the Arabian gouper, is an Indo-Pacific fish species of economical importance. Its common Arabic name is Hamoor (هامور).
Description
The fish 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.
It is similar to Epinephelus corallicola and Epinephelus howlandi which however have shorter bodies and spots less closely spaced.
Distribution
Widely distributed; from the Red Sea to South Africa, as far north as Japan, and in the waters around Australia.
Habitat
It is found in clear water areas associated with coral reefs from 1-300m deep, where it feeds on smaller fish.
Hazards
Eating this fish may be associated with ciguatera poisoning.
References
- Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2007). "Epinephelus tauvina" in FishBase. 4 2007 version.