Family : Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets) , subfamily: Epinephelinae
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Highfin grouper
Fish Name : Epinephelus maculatus
Max size : 60.5 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 5525)
Environment : reef-associated ; depth range 2 - 100 m
Climate : tropical; 29°N - 34°S
Global Importance : fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.28)Distribution : Pacific Ocean: Cocos-Keeling Islands to Samoa, north to southern Japan, south to southeastern Australia and Lord Howe Island (Ref. 37816).
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-17; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Brown spots evenly distributed and packed into hexagonal shapes only on adults which are generally larger (>25 to 45 cm); front portion of spinous dorsal fin about 50% taller than on other species at all sizes (Ref. 37816). Small juveniles black with white blotches, becoming more spotted with age (Ref. 48635).
Biology : Juveniles are found in shallow coral rubble, adults in isolated coral heads of lagoon and seaward reefs to depths of 82 m. Feeds mainly on sand-dwelling fishes and crustaceans, sometimes on octopuses. In the Hong Kong live fish markets (Ref. 27253). May be ciguatoxic in certain areas (Ref. 37816)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : reports of ciguatera poisoning
Coordinator : Heemstra, Phillip C.
Main Ref : Heemstra, P.C. and J.E. Randall. 1993. (Ref. 5222)

India country information
Common Names : കലവ മീന്, கலவா, गोबरा, हीकरू, പുളളി കലവ , പുള്ളി കലവ, കൊലമീന്, ಕೊಲಜಿ , బొంతు  , கலவா , Bloch's rockcod, Bontoo, Gobra, Hekaru, Kalava, Kolaji, Kolamin, Pulli kalawa, Rock cod, Spotted rockcod
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses