Marine Life

Eightbar grouper

Kalhu faana

Epinephelus octofasciatus

The species Epinephelus octofasciatus was previously misidentified as E. septemfasciatus in the Catalogue of Fishes of the Maldives, Vol. 3, page 422. This was apparently the first record of this species from the Maldives, which was caught by longline in 170 m near K. Giraavaru in October 1988 by R. V. 'Farumas'.

Details

§ 01

size: Max. 80 cm
color: Brown with 8 broad dark brown bars; first on nape, second at dorsal fin origin, covering first 2 dorsal spines. Pelvic fins, distal half of soft dorsal and anal fins dark brown. Large individuals almost black.
order: Perciformes
family: Serranidae
image url: https://assets.explore.mv/fishes/epinephelus-octofasciatus.png
habitat and biology: This species is found on deep-sea reefs ranging from 150 to 300 meters in depth.
distinctive characters: This fish has a dorsal fin with 11 spines and 14-15 rays, an anal fin with 3 spines and 9 rays, and a pectoral fin with 18-19 rays. Its body depth is 2.2-2.7 in standard length, the preopercle is angular with enlarged serrae at the angle, and the upper edge of the operculum has a convex dorsal head profile. The maxilla reaches to or behind the rear half of the eye, the pelvic fins are sub-equal to or larger than the pectoral fin, and the caudal fin is rounded.