The Orange-spotted Grouper ( Epinephelus coioides ) is a large, predatory fish found in the Indo-Pacific region. It is a member of the family Serranidae, which includes a wide variety of groupers, sea basses, and other related fish.
Description & Characteristics
The Orange-spotted Grouper is easily recognizable by its distinctive orange spots that are scattered across its body. It is a robust fish with a large head and a powerful jaw. Adults of Epinephelus coioides can grow up to 120.0 cm in length, making them one of the larger grouper species. The body color can range from brown to gray, with the orange spots often being more prominent on juveniles. They have a relatively long lifespan, with some individuals living for over 20 years.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Orange-spotted Grouper is a common inhabitant of coral reefs, rocky reefs, and seagrass beds. It is a demersal fish, meaning that it lives on or near the bottom of the seafloor. This species is found in a wide range of depths, from the shallows (1.0 m) to depths of 100.0 meters. Epinephelus coioides occurs in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and the eastern coast of Africa, to the Pacific islands, including Australia and Japan. This distribution puts them in several distinct marine zones including the tropical and subtropical regions.
Taxonomy
The Orange-spotted Grouper, Epinephelus coioides, is scientifically classified within the Class: Teleostei, Order: Perciformes, and Family: Serranidae. This classification places it within a diverse group of fish known for their predatory nature and often impressive sizes.
Feeding
Epinephelus coioides is a voracious predator, feeding primarily on crustaceans, fish, and other marine invertebrates. Its diet includes crabs, lobsters, mantis shrimps, and smaller fish. They are ambush predators, lying in wait among the rocks and coral, and then quickly pouncing on their prey. This feeding strategy is typical of many grouper species, and reflects their powerful jaws and sharp teeth.
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