Epinephelus polylepis Randall & Heemstra, 1991
Smallscaled grouper
Epinephelus polylepis
photo by Randall, J.E.

 Family:  Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets), subfamily: Epinephelinae
 Max. size:  61 cm TL (male/unsexed); 54.7 cm TL (female); max.weight: 2,100.0 g
 Environment:  demersal; depth range 10 - 155 m
 Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, Pakistan, and west coast of India. Since it has only recently been discovered, it may be expected to have a wider distribution.
 Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-17; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Distinguished by the following characteristics: head, body and fins pale, covered with numerous small close-set dark brown spots; spots on fins and dorsal parts of head and body smaller and closer together compared to those on the sides and ventrally; rear edge of caudal fin with white line and a row of blackish brown spots; presence of dark maxillary streak; body depth contained 2.6-3.3 times in SL; body width 1.8-2.4 times in depth; head length 2.5-2.8 times in SL; slightly convex interorbital, dorsal head profile almost straight; angular preopercle, with indentation above the angle and enlarged serrae below the indentation; straight upper edge of operculum; posterior nostrils slightly larger than anterior ones; maxilla reaches to below rear half of eye; front of jaws with a pair of small fixed canines; 2 rows of teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw, inner ones twice length of outer teeth, pyloric caeca 28-34 (Ref. 89707).
 Biology:  Known from rocky areas adjacent to soft bottoms in depths 10-155 m (Ref. 89707). In the Hong Kong live fish markets (Ref. 27253).
 IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened  (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:   
 

 Entered by: Capuli, Estelita Emily - 12.02.93
 Modified by: Valdestamon, Roxanne Rei - 08.01.16
 Checked by: Capuli, Estelita Emily - 22.04.94

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