Marine Life

Snubnose grouper, Bigspot grouper

Fijjehi faana

Epinephelus macrospilos

Specimens of Epinephelus macrospilos from the Western Indian Ocean differ from those found elsewhere due to having dark spots on the underside of the jaw, and larger, close-set dark spots on the head and body. These specimens were previously misidentified as E. faveatus in the Catalogue of Fishes of the Maldives, Vol. 2, page 294.

Details

§ 01

size: Max 51 cm
color: Head and body with round to polygonal dark brown spots, variable in size (juveniles with larger spots). Median fins yellowish, with blackish brown spots. Soft dorsal, caudal and anal fins with pale margin. Underside of jaw usually with two dark spots.
order: Perciformes
family: Serranidae
image url: https://assets.explore.mv/fishes/epinephelus-macrospilos.png
habitat and biology: This species is found on coral reefs down to a depth of 44 m or more, where it feeds on crustaceans (mainly crabs), fishes, octopuses, and squids.
distinctive characters: This fish has a dorsal fin with 11 spines and 15-17 rays, an anal fin with 3 spines and 8 rays, a pectoral fin with 17-20 rays, a body depth of 3.0-3.6 in standard length, 21 to 24 total gill rakers, a robust body, a lower jaw that projects strongly, an inter-orbital area that is flat or slightly concave, and a rounded caudal fin.