Family : Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets) , subfamily: Epinephelinae
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Snubnose grouper
Fish Name : Epinephelus macrospilos
Max size : 51.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 4787); max. published weight: 2,000 g (Ref. 5222)
Environment : reef-associated ; depth range 1 - 30 m
Climate : tropical; 30°N - 33°S
Global Importance : fisheries: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)Distribution : Indo-Pacific: Kenya south to Natal, South Africa and east to the central Pacific. Unknown from the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Hawaii. Recorded from Europa Island (MNHN 1992-0498, Ref. 33390). Often confused with Epinephelus quoyanus, Epinephelus faveatus, Epinephelus corallicola, and Epinephelus howlandi.
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-17; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Head profile angular; body less compressed and spots more closely spaced than E. corallicola and E. howlandi (Ref. 37816). Body and median fins with large dark blotches, largest towards the tail (Ref. 48635).
Biology : Found in lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 9710) to a depth of at least 44 m. Feeds on crustaceans (mainly crabs), fishes, octopi, and squid
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : harmless
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