The Estuary Rock-cod, Giant Grouper, Greasy Grouper, Greasy Rockcod, Green Grouper, Reef Cod, Speckled Rockcod, Spotted Grouper, scientifically known as Epinephelus tauvina, is a fish species found in the Indo-Pacific region. It is a large, predatory fish that can reach impressive sizes.
Description and Characteristics
Epinephelus tauvina is a robust fish with a thick, elongated body. Its coloration is highly variable, ranging from brown to reddish-brown with darker spots or blotches. The fish possesses a large mouth with prominent teeth, reflecting its predatory nature. It can grow to a maximum size of 100 cm in length.
Habitat and Occurrence
Epinephelus tauvina is a demersal species, meaning it lives on or near the bottom of the ocean floor. It prefers rocky reefs, coral reefs, and seagrass beds, making it a familiar sight in these habitats. The fish is found in a wide depth range, from shallow waters (1 meter) to depths of 300 meters. This impressive depth range makes it a versatile fish that can adapt to a variety of marine environments.
Taxonomy
The species Epinephelus tauvina belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Perciformes, and Family: Serranidae. It is closely related to other grouper species and is part of the diverse and widespread Serranidae family, which is commonly known as the sea basses, groupers, and anthias.
Feeding
Epinephelus tauvina is a carnivore with a varied diet. It feeds on a variety of prey including: amphipods, copepods, crabs, crustaceans, daphnia salina, edible crab, fish (small fish), fish larvae, frozen food (large sort), lobster, mantis shrimps, rock lobster, rock shrimps, and shrimps. These diverse food sources highlight the adaptability and predatory skills of Epinephelus tauvina in its marine environment.
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