Epinephelus suborbitalis Amaoka & Randall, 1990
Seamount grouper
Epinephelus suborbitalis
photo by FAO

Family:  Epinephelidae (Groupers)
Max. size:  118 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 360 - 570 m
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: known only from a single specimen taken from the Minami-Koto Seamount which lies on the Kyushu-Palau Ridge.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-14; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Upper edge of operculum convex; posterior nostril of large adults broadly oval, its diameter about 3 times that of the anterior nostril; ventral edge of the maxilla with a step-like expansion distally. Color is uniformly grayish brown, the fins darker. Characterized further by the following: robust body, depth contained 2.7 times in SL; body width 2.25 times in the depth; head length 2.4 times in SL; slightly convex interorbital area, width 4.4 times in HL; upper edge of operculum convex; large adults with broadly oval posterior nostrils, diameter about 3 times that of anterior nostril; step-like expansion on ventral edge of maxilla; 3 rows of teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw; inner symphyseal teeth of upper jaw not enlarged (Ref. 89707).
Biology:  The only known specimen was collected in a trawl from Minami-Koto Seamount, Kyushu-Palau Ridge (Ref. 89707).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 21 November 2016 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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