Family : Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets) , subfamily: Grammistinae
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Sixline soapfish
Fish Name : Grammistes sexlineatus
Max size : 30.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 9710)
Environment : reef-associated ; depth range 1 - 130 m
Climate : tropical; 32°N - 23°S
Global Importance : fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)Distribution : Indo-Pacific: Red Sea to the Marquesan and Mangaréva islands, north to southern Japan, south to New Zealand (Ref. 5755).
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-14; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Body dark brown with yellow stripes; small juveniles with spots, specimens up to 5 cm SL with 3 stripes, specimens at least 8 cm SL with 6 stripes, the number of stripes increases and may break into a series of dashes in large adults (Ref. 4326).
Biology : Inhabits coastal waters over corals and rocky substrates (Ref. 5213, 48635). Usually hides beneath ledges and small caves during the day (Ref. 4326, 48635). Small juveniles have only two white stripes, dividing with growth into numerous lines. The lines break-up into dashes and spots when adult (Ref. 48635). Feeds on fishes (Ref. 4821). Has toxin-producing glands in the dermis (Ref. 4326) which is extremely bitter to the taste (Ref. 11441). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 30874
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : reports of ciguatera poisoning , Dalzell, P.. 1991
Coordinator : Heemstra, Phillip C.
Main Ref : Randall, J.E.. 1986. (Ref. 4326)

India country information
Common Names : കോത, കോതാ , Haravalufana, Kotha
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses