Epinephelus corallicola

Epinephelus corallicola (Valenciennes, 1828)
Image of coral grouper
Epinephelus corallicola (Valenciennes, 1828)
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Serranidae
Binomial name
Epinephelus corallicola (Valenciennes, 1828)

Epinephelus corallicola, commonly known as the coral grouper, coral rock-cod, or duskyfin grouper, is a coastal-dwelling fish of the Western Pacific. The species is commonly found in shallow silty reefs and sometimes in estuarine areas.

Description

The coral grouper resembles both the Epinephelus howlandi and Epinephelus macrospilos. It reaches up to 50 cm in length, and is brownish to greenish grey, with small black spots over all of the head, body and fins, becoming more numerous and widely spaced with growth.

Distribution

The coral grouper is found in the Western Pacific Ocean, including Thailand, Hong Kong, and Taiwan to Australia, as well as eastward to the Solomon Islands and Mariana Islands.

Habitat

The coral grouper may be found in either brackish or salt water. Its habitat is primarily shallow silty reefs, in water depths up to about 30 m.

References

Heemstra, P.C. and J.E. Randall, 1993. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 16. Groupers of the world (family Serranidae, subfamily Epinephelinae). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of the grouper, rockcod, hind, coral grouper and lyretail species known to date. Rome: FAO. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(16):382 p.