| Epinephelidae (Groupers) |
| 200 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 68 kg |
|
reef-associated; marine; depth range - 50 m |
| Southwest Pacific: Australia, Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, Kermadec Islands and New Zealand (North Island and Poor Knights Island). The Australian range extends from southern Queensland to Kangaroo Island off South Australia; also reported from the Bass Strait. |
|
Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-14; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8 |
| Found on rocky substrata from near shore to at least 50 m. It is an aggressive territorial species that may occupy a particular cave for life. Small individuals feed on crabs and small fishes. Sexual transition reported to occur at 100-110 cm (Ref. 6787). Large individuals are often attracted by divers (Ref. 9710). An esteemed food fish avidly sought by anglers and spear fishermen. |
|
Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 18 November 2016 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
|
Known from mainland New Zealand, the Kermadec Is. (Ref. 8879) and Norfolk Island (Ref. 45524). Museum: NMNZ P.14888, P.13182, P.4836, P.21013, P.5136, P.20379, P.10554, P.16170. Also Ref. 5222, 89422. |
Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.
