Family : Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets) , subfamily: Epinephelinae
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : One-blotch grouper
Fish Name : Epinephelus melanostigma
Max size : 35.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 48635)
Environment : reef-associated ; depth range 0 - 30 m
Climate : tropical; 29°N - 34°S
Global Importance : fisheries: subsistence fisheries
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)Distribution : Indo-West Pacific: Natal, South Africa to the central Pacific. Not known from the Red Sea nor Persian Gulf.
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-16; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. A single large black blotch along middle of dorsal fin base (Ref. 37816), which can be turned off (Ref. 48635).
Biology : Occur in outer reef flats and shallow lagoon (Ref. 37816). Reported to be taken in a trawl, thus presumably caught somewhat deeper than 7 m. Also reported to occur in reefs at a depth of about 30 m (Ref. 5213). Because of its small size and apparent rarity, it is of little or no commercial importance
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : reports of ciguatera poisoning , Dalzell, P.. 1991
Coordinator : Heemstra, Phillip C.
Main Ref : Heemstra, P.C. and J.E. Randall. 1993. (Ref. 5222)

India country information
Common Names : ഫുല്ലിചമ്മാം, പുള്ളിച്ചമ്മം, Fullichammam, Schultz's rockcod, Sikkisikkifana
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses