Family : Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets) , subfamily: Epinephelinae
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Camouflage grouper
Fish Name : Epinephelus polyphekadion
Max size : 90.0 cm SL (male/unsexed; Ref. 4319)
Environment : reef-associated; oceanodromous ; depth range 1 - 46 m
Climate : tropical; 30°N - 34°S
Global Importance : fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: experimental
Resilience: Very low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)Distribution : Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and east coast of Africa to French Polynesia. In the western Pacific it ranges from southern Japan to southern Queensland and Lord Howe Island. Often confused with Epinephelus fuscoguttatus.
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-15; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8
Biology : Usually found in coral-rich areas of lagoon and outer reefs; in caves and large crevices to swim through (Ref. 48635). Most abundant around islands, particularly atolls. Usually in small schools. Feeds mainly on crustaceans (portunid crabs) and fishes, sometimes on cephalopods and gastropods. In the Hong Kong live fish markets (Ref. 27253). Frequently ciguatoxic in the Marshall Is. (Ref. 37816)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : reports of ciguatera poisoning , Myers, R.F.. 1991
Coordinator : Heemstra, Phillip C.
Main Ref : Heemstra, P.C. and J.E. Randall. 1993. (Ref. 5222)

India country information
Common Names : [ No common name ]
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses