Aethaloperca rogaa is a moderately common fish that normally occurs singly along the reefs and is often associated with schools of baitfish sheltering in caves. It can be taken by handlines, but is a rather slow biter, making it a well-regarded table fish.
Details
§ 01
size
Max. 60 cm
color
Uniformly dark brown. Inside of mouth and gill cavity scarlet. Junveniles have a white border to the caudal fin, adults may have a broad white band across the belly and half way up the side.
order
Perciformes
family
Serranidae
habitat and biology
This species is typically found in or near caves or holes in well-developed coral reefs at depths of 3-60 m. It feeds on small fishes and crustaceans and is classified as demersal.
distinctive characters
This species has a dorsal fin with nine spines and seventeen to eighteen rays, an anal fin with three spines and eight to nine rays, and a pectoral fin with seventeen to nineteen rays, with the fifth or sixth ray being the longest. Its body is deep and compressed, with a depth of two point one to two point four times its standard length, and its dorsal profile of the head is steep. Its caudal fin is truncate.