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Plectropomus areolatus

  Plectropomus areolatus (Rüppell, 1830)
Family: Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets), subfamily: Epinephelinae Show available picture(s) for Plectropomus areolatus *Enlarge
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Order: Perciformes (perch-likes)
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
In this site name: Squaretail coralgrouper
Max. size: 73.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 9710)
Environment: reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 – 20 m
Climate: tropical; 31°N - 25°s, 32°e - 169°w
Importance: fisheries: minor commercial
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)
Distribution:
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea to the Phoenix Islands and Samoa, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to Australia.
Morphology: Dorsal spines (total): 7 - 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Has truncate tail with a narrow white posterior margin, and relatively large crowded dark-edged circular blue spots (Ref. 37816).
Biology: Inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs, in areas with rich coral growth. Most frequently encountered in channels along the reef front (Ref. 9710, 48635). Often a shy fish (Ref. 48635). Feeds exclusively on fishes (Ref. 37816). Misidentified as P. leopardus in Ref. 2928 (Johannes, pers. comm.). This study reports of a declining stock in Palau due to fishing. Before actual spawning around full moon, the species aggregates along channels and are responsive to baited hooks, making them vulnerable to fishermen; upward movements of some to take baited hooks presumably mistaken for courtship or spawning behavior. Large individuals may be ciguatoxic in certain areas (Ref. 37816). In the Hong Kong live fish markets (Ref. 27253).
Red List Status: Not in IUCN Red List (Ref. 57073)
Dangerous:
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