Saloptia powelli Smith, 1964
Golden grouper
Saloptia powelli
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Epinephelidae (Groupers)
Max. size:  39 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 140 - 367 m
Distribution:  Pacific Ocean: western Pacific to French Polynesia. Reported as Epinephelus truncatus from French Polynesia by Bagnis et al. (1972, Ref. 4821).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8
Biology:  Inhabits deep waters on rocky substrata. One of the most common deepwater groupers caught with handlines at the Marianas.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 22 November 2016 Ref. (126983)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Collected from Peña Plata market, Samal I. (Ref. 94081).


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