Latin name

Epinephelus latifasciatus

Other name

Banded grouper or spotfin rockcod.

Identification

Epinephelus: Greek, epinephelos = cloudy.

The body of the striped grouper is of standard length, which is 2.9-3.4 times its thickness. The dorsal profile of the head and the area between the eyes are convex. The length of the head is 2.3-2.6 times the average length. They have an angular front jaw, 3-7 distinctly enlarged denticles at an angle, distinctly convex upper edge of the gill cover, unequal anterior and posterior nostrils, the upper jaw goes behind the vertical at the posterior margin of the eye, 2-3 rows of teeth in the mediolateral part of the lower jaw.

Features of fish fins

The angular preopercular fin has a finely serrated margin, with the serrations at the corners enlarged. The dorsal fin contains 11 spines and 12-14 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays. The caudal fin is truncated in adults and rounded in juveniles.

Fish colouring

The coloration of the head and body is grayish brown with two pale vertical bands with black edges and dark dots. The upper band extends above the eye to part of the dorsal fin with soft rays, while the lower band extends below the eye to the caudal fin. The dorsal and caudal fins are marked with black spots and veins. This pattern is most pronounced in juveniles, which may be lavender or pale brownish, and gradually fades in adults so that larger individuals may be grayish brown.

Distribution

It occurs in the Indo-Pacific, the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, India and Sri Lanka, as far east as Taiwan and southern Japan. It occurs in northwestern Australia from the northwestern coast of Western Australia to the coast of the Arafura Sea in the Northern Territory. It has not been recorded in East Africa, the Indian Ocean Islands, the Philippines or Papua New Guinea. 

Habitat

This species appears to prefer continental coastlines to islands. It inhabits depths from 20 to 230 meters (66 to 755 feet) on rocky or coarse sandy bottoms that are homogeneous, although juveniles are found on mud or muddy surfaces. 

Size

The maximum published standard length of this species is 127 centimeters (50 inches), although they more commonly reach 70 centimeters (28 inches), and the maximum published weight is 58.6 kilograms (129 pounds).

Behavior

Larger individuals occupy coarse sand or rocky areas, while smaller individuals occupy silty sand and silty mud.

Food and feeding habits

They feed both day and night. Their diet includes fish, crabs, shrimp, mantis shrimp, brittle stars and octopus.

Reproduction

In Indian waters, the spawning season lasts from November to March.

Fishing

Striped grouper is caught by hook and line, longline, trawl and trap. It is common in East Asian markets, but is not commercially fished in the Gulf, while it is commercially traded in India, but appears to be used as bycatch in fisheries for other species.

Relationship with a person

Harmless.