Mycteroperca xenarcha Jordan, 1888
Broomtail grouper
Mycteroperca xenarcha
photo by Gotshall, D.W.

Family:  Epinephelidae (Groupers)
Max. size:  150 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 91 kg
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 60 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific: San Francisco Bay, California, USA to Peru and the Galapagos Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-16; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 10-11. Distinguished by the following characteristics: two color patterns, first is brown blotched pattern, grey or greyish green with oblong dark blotches dorsally, forming an irregular maze-like, pale reticulum, second is plain colored pattern is uniform greyish brown, darker fins and edged with white; depth of body contained 2.9-3.1 times in SL; head length 2.6-2.8 times in SL; angular preopercle, with distinct serrate lobe at angle; posterior nostrils notably larger than anterior nostrils (Ref. 89707).
Biology:  Occurs from mangrove area to over hard bottom of the continental shelf and the slope (Ref. 11035). According to Thomson et al. (1979, Ref. 6852), this species prefers mangrove estuaries. Adults and juveniles occur in shallow water with adults found to depths of 60 m.
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 21 November 2016 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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