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| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| taxon = Epinephelus fuscoguttatus
| taxon = Epinephelus fuscoguttatus
| status_ref = <ref name = iucn>{{cite iucn | author1 = Rhodes, K. | author2 = Sadovy, Y. | author3 = Samoilys, M. | year = 2018 | title = ''Epinephelus fuscoguttatus'' | page = e.T44673A100468078 | doi = 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T44673A100468078.en | access-date = 6 July 2020}}</ref>
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Rhodes, K. |author2=Sadovy, Y. |author3=Samoilys, M. |date=2018 |title=''Epinephelus fuscoguttatus'' |volume=2018 |page=e.T44673A100468078 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T44673A100468078.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
| authority = ([[Peter Forsskål|Forsskål]], 1775)
| authority = ([[Peter Forsskål|Forsskål]], 1775)
| synonyms = *''Perca summana fuscoguttata'' <small>Forsskål, 1775</small>
| synonyms = *''Perca summana fuscoguttata'' <small>Forsskål, 1775</small>
Line 17: Line 17:
}}
}}


The '''brown-marbled grouper''' or '''tiger grouper''' (''Epinephelus fuscoguttatus'') is a [[benthic]] [[marine fish]] which belongs to the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Serranidae]] or also known as the groupers.
The '''brown-marbled grouper''' or '''tiger grouper''' ('''''Epinephelus fuscoguttatus''''') is a [[benthic]] [[marine fish]] which belongs to the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Serranidae]] or also known as the groupers.


==Description==
==Description==
''Epinephelus fuscoguttatus'' is a medium-sized [[fish]] which grows up to 120&nbsp;cm, but the average size mostly observed is 50&nbsp;cm.<ref name = Fishbase/> Its body has a stocky and robust aspect, is compressed laterally and has a sharp profile for the head. The mouth is big and has a superior position with many small teeth and [[canine tooth|canine]] in front. The background coloration is pale yellowish-brown with many irregular in size and shape dark brown or Grey blotches. The body is also covered with many small dark brown spots. All the fins are large and round.
''Epinephelus fuscoguttatus'' is a medium-sized [[fish]] which grows up to 120&nbsp;cm, but the average size mostly observed is 50&nbsp;cm.<ref name = Fishbase/> Its body has a stocky and robust aspect, is compressed laterally, and has a sharp profile for the head. The mouth is big and has a superior position with many small teeth and [[canine tooth|canines]] in front. The background coloration is pale yellowish-brown with many dark brown or grey blotches that are irregular in size and shape. The body is also covered with many small dark brown spots. All the fins are large and round.


The brown-marbled grouper can be easily confused with its close relative ''[[Epinephelus polyphekadion]]''. The differences are more obvious on adults specimen. The distinctive characters of the brown-marbled grouper are: a small black saddle on the top of [[caudal peduncle]], when observed on the side a notch above the eyes and the front head is clearly visible, its body is quite thick from the front of the [[dorsal fin]] to the bottom of the fish below the [[pectoral fin]]s.<ref>Introduction to Monitoring and Management of Spawning Aggregations and Aggregation Sites for Three Indo-Pacific Grouper Species (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus, Epinephelus polyphekadion, and Plectropomus areolatus), THE NATURE CONSERVANCY, Indo-Pacific Draft Field Manual, June 2003, http://www.reefresilience.org/pdf/manual_field_practitioners.pdf</ref>
The brown-marbled grouper can be easily confused with its close relative ''[[Epinephelus polyphekadion]]''. The differences are more obvious in adult specimens. The distinctive characteristics of the brown-marbled grouper are: a small black saddle on the top of the [[caudal peduncle]], when observed on the side a notch above the eyes, and the front head is clearly visible, its body is quite thick from the front of the [[dorsal fin]] to the bottom of the fish below the [[pectoral fin]]s.<ref>Introduction to Monitoring and Management of Spawning Aggregations and Aggregation Sites for Three Indo-Pacific Grouper Species (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus, Epinephelus polyphekadion, and Plectropomus areolatus), THE NATURE CONSERVANCY, Indo-Pacific Draft Field Manual, June 2003, http://www.reefresilience.org/pdf/manual_field_practitioners.pdf</ref>


==Distribution and habitat==
==Distribution and habitat==
It is widely distributed throughout the [[tropical]] and [[subtropical]] waters of the [[Indo-Pacific]], from eastern coasts of [[Africa]] to the oceanic islands of the centre of the [[Pacific Ocean]], [[Red Sea]] included. However, it is absent from the [[Persian Gulf]], [[Hawaii]] and [[French Polynesia]].<ref name = Fishbase/>
It is widely distributed throughout the [[tropical]] and [[subtropical]] waters of the [[Indo-Pacific]], from the eastern coasts of [[Africa]] to the oceanic islands of the centre of the [[Pacific Ocean]], [[Red Sea]] included. However, it is absent from the [[Persian Gulf]], [[Hawaii]], and [[French Polynesia]].<ref name = Fishbase/>


Like many of the [[Serranidae|groupers]], the brown-marbled grouper lives in rich clear waters close to coral or rocky reefs, lagoons and external slopes from the surface until {{convert|60|m}} depth.<ref>Lieske, E. and R. Myers, 1994. Collins Pocket Guide. Coral reef fishes. Indo-Pacific & Caribbean including the Red Sea. Harper Collins Publishers, 400 p.</ref>
Like many of the [[Serranidae|groupers]], the brown-marbled grouper lives in rich clear waters close to coral or rocky reefs, lagoons, and external slopes from the surface until {{convert|60|m}} depth.<ref>Lieske, E. and R. Myers, 1994. Collins Pocket Guide. Coral reef fishes. Indo-Pacific & Caribbean including the Red Sea. Harper Collins Publishers, 400 p.</ref>


==Feeding==
==Feeding==
The brown-marbled grouper is [[carnivorous]] and its diet consists mainly in [[fish]]es, [[crustacean]]s and [[cephalopod]]s, it is an ambush predator.<ref>Lieske & Myers,''Coral reef fishes'',Princeton University Press, 2009, {{ISBN|9780691089959}}</ref>
The brown-marbled grouper is [[carnivorous]] and its diet consists mainly in [[fish]]es, [[crustacean]]s and [[cephalopod]]s. It is an ambush predator.<ref>Lieske & Myers,''Coral reef fishes'',Princeton University Press, 2009, {{ISBN|9780691089959}}</ref>


==Behavior==
==Behavior==
This grouper is solitary, sedentary, it defends a well defined [[territory (animal)|territory]], [[benthic]] and has an [[Nocturnality|nocturnal]] which can be maximal at sunrise and/or at sunset.<ref>Brulé & Déniel, ‘’ Expose synoptique des données biologiques sur le mérou rouge Epinephelus morio (valenciennes, 1828) du Golfe du Mexique’’, F.A.O., 1994,{{ISBN|9252034633}}</ref>
This grouper is solitary and sedentary; it defends a well-defined [[territory (animal)|territory]], [[benthic]], and is [[Nocturnality|nocturnal]], with activity maximal at sunrise and/or at sunset.<ref>Brulé & Déniel, ‘’ Expose synoptique des données biologiques sur le mérou rouge Epinephelus morio (valenciennes, 1828) du Golfe du Mexique’’, F.A.O., 1994,{{ISBN|9252034633}}</ref>


It has a quite long life span for a fish, it can expect to live until at least 40 years old.<ref> Pears, R.J., J.H. Choat, B.D. Mapstone and G.A. Begg, 2006. Demography of a large grouper, Epinephelus fuscoguttatus, from Australia's Great barrier reef: implications for fishery management. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 307:259-272.</ref>
It has a quite long life span for a fish and is expected to live until at least 40 years old.<ref> Pears, R.J., J.H. Choat, B.D. Mapstone and G.A. Begg, 2006. Demography of a large grouper, Epinephelus fuscoguttatus, from Australia's Great barrier reef: implications for fishery management. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 307:259-272.</ref>
It is [[Sequential hermaphroditism|protogynous hermaphrodite]], which means the female can evolved to male during its life.
It is a [[Sequential hermaphroditism|protogynous hermaphrodite]], which means the female can evolve into a male during its life.


==Protection==
==Protection==
The brown-marbled grouper is listed "Vulnerable" on the [[IUCN Red List of Threatened Species]] since 2004.
The brown-marbled grouper has been listed as "[[Vulnerable species|Vulnerable]]" on the [[IUCN Red List of Threatened Species]] since 2004.
Because of its size and hardiness, this [[species]] has a height commercial interest for the live food fish trade.
Because of its size and hardiness, this [[species]] has a high commercial interest in the live food fish trade.


However, its biological characteristics make this [[species]] particularly vulnerable to [[over-fishing]].
However, its biological characteristics make this [[species]] particularly vulnerable to [[over-fishing]].
Especially during [[mating season|mating periods]] at specific times and places, the brown-marbled grouper forms spawning aggregations which are easy and attractive targets for fishermen.
Especially during [[mating season|mating periods]] at specific times and places, the brown-marbled grouper forms spawning aggregations which are easy and attractive targets for fishermen.
The quite long life span of this grouper and its poor population density in reefs in the wild result in a weak and slow population regeneration capacity.
The long life span of this grouper and its low population density in reefs in the wild result in a weak and slow population regeneration capacity.
Furthermore, brown-marbled groupers are greatly threatened by the trend of fishermen to target large fish. That concerns especially males so if the sex ratio between males and females is falling, it will affect the fertilization capacity of the [[species]].
Furthermore, as fishers prefer to target large fish the brown-marbled groupers are a popular species. That concerns especially males so if the sex ratio between males and females is falling, it will affect the fertilization capacity of the [[species]].
It will have the same result on over-fishing females breeders that are highly fertile and would not be able to actively contributing to maintain the proportion of young in the population.
It will have the same result on over-fishing female breeders that are highly fertile and would not be able to actively contribute to maintaining the proportion of young in the population.


Brown-marbled groupers can be cultured by hatcheries but these installations are still getting fishes straight from the wild. This method has also a negative effect on the global population because all the groupers catch in any size category are kept and grown until they reach market size.
Brown-marbled groupers can be cultured by hatcheries but these installations' breeding stock is derived from wild-caught fish. Wild capture of breeding stock also has a negative effect on the global population because all the groupers caught in any size category are kept and grown until they reach market size.


One fact helps to preserve a bit the brown-marbled groupers in some geographic areas and it is the [[ciguatera]] which affects its flesh.
As [[ciguatera]] toxin is common in brown-marbled groupers' flesh, this limits fishing of this species in some geographic areas.


Over the last few years, some protective measures or/and sustainable fishing methods have been taken by many states where spawning aggregation are known like in [[Indonesia]], [[Papua New Guinea]], [[Australia]], [[Malaysia]], [[Solomon Islands]] and [[Palau]].<ref>http://eol.org/pages/209732/details#conservation</ref><ref name = iucn/>
Over the last few years, some protective measures and/or sustainable fishing methods have been introduced by many states where spawning aggregations are known, for example, [[Indonesia]], [[Papua New Guinea]], [[Australia]], [[Malaysia]], [[Solomon Islands]], and [[Palau]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://eol.org/pages/209732/details#conservation |title=Facts about Brown-marbled Grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) - Encyclopedia of Life |access-date=2013-06-28 |archive-date=2013-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019132914/http://eol.org/pages/209732/details#conservation |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021" />


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
*http://www.fishbase.org/summary/4460
*http://www.fishbase.org/summary/4460
*{{cite iucn |title= |url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/details/44673/0}}
* Sugama, K, Rimmer, M, Ismi, S, Koesharyani, I, Suwirya, K, Giri, N.A, and Alava V.R. 2012. [http://aciar.gov.au/publication/MN149 Hatchery management of tiger grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus): a best-practice manual.]
* Sugama, K, Rimmer, M, Ismi, S, Koesharyani, I, Suwirya, K, Giri, N.A, and Alava V.R. 2012. [http://aciar.gov.au/publication/MN149 Hatchery management of tiger grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus): a best-practice manual.]
* {{sealifephotos|218218}}
* {{sealifephotos|218218}}
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{{Portal|fish}}
{{Portal|fish}}


{{Commons|Epinephelus fuscoguttatus}}
{{Commons}}
{{grouper}}
{{grouper}}


Latest revision as of 04:41, 18 October 2024

Tiger grouper
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Serranidae
Subfamily: Epinephelinae
Genus: Epinephelus
Species:
E. fuscoguttatus
Binomial name
Epinephelus fuscoguttatus
(Forsskål, 1775)
Synonyms[2]
  • Perca summana fuscoguttata Forsskål, 1775
  • Serranus fuscoguttatus (Forsskål, 1775)
  • Serranus horridus Valenciennes, 1828
  • Serranus taeniocheirus Valenciennes, 1830
  • Serranus lutra Valenciennes, 1832
  • Epinephelus lutra (Valenciennes, 1832)

The brown-marbled grouper or tiger grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) is a benthic marine fish which belongs to the family Serranidae or also known as the groupers.

Description

[edit]

Epinephelus fuscoguttatus is a medium-sized fish which grows up to 120 cm, but the average size mostly observed is 50 cm.[2] Its body has a stocky and robust aspect, is compressed laterally, and has a sharp profile for the head. The mouth is big and has a superior position with many small teeth and canines in front. The background coloration is pale yellowish-brown with many dark brown or grey blotches that are irregular in size and shape. The body is also covered with many small dark brown spots. All the fins are large and round.

The brown-marbled grouper can be easily confused with its close relative Epinephelus polyphekadion. The differences are more obvious in adult specimens. The distinctive characteristics of the brown-marbled grouper are: a small black saddle on the top of the caudal peduncle, when observed on the side a notch above the eyes, and the front head is clearly visible, its body is quite thick from the front of the dorsal fin to the bottom of the fish below the pectoral fins.[3]

Distribution and habitat

[edit]

It is widely distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific, from the eastern coasts of Africa to the oceanic islands of the centre of the Pacific Ocean, Red Sea included. However, it is absent from the Persian Gulf, Hawaii, and French Polynesia.[2]

Like many of the groupers, the brown-marbled grouper lives in rich clear waters close to coral or rocky reefs, lagoons, and external slopes from the surface until 60 metres (200 ft) depth.[4]

Feeding

[edit]

The brown-marbled grouper is carnivorous and its diet consists mainly in fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods. It is an ambush predator.[5]

Behavior

[edit]

This grouper is solitary and sedentary; it defends a well-defined territory, benthic, and is nocturnal, with activity maximal at sunrise and/or at sunset.[6]

It has a quite long life span for a fish and is expected to live until at least 40 years old.[7]

It is a protogynous hermaphrodite, which means the female can evolve into a male during its life.

Protection

[edit]

The brown-marbled grouper has been listed as "Vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species since 2004. Because of its size and hardiness, this species has a high commercial interest in the live food fish trade.

However, its biological characteristics make this species particularly vulnerable to over-fishing. Especially during mating periods at specific times and places, the brown-marbled grouper forms spawning aggregations which are easy and attractive targets for fishermen. The long life span of this grouper and its low population density in reefs in the wild result in a weak and slow population regeneration capacity. Furthermore, as fishers prefer to target large fish the brown-marbled groupers are a popular species. That concerns especially males so if the sex ratio between males and females is falling, it will affect the fertilization capacity of the species. It will have the same result on over-fishing female breeders that are highly fertile and would not be able to actively contribute to maintaining the proportion of young in the population.

Brown-marbled groupers can be cultured by hatcheries but these installations' breeding stock is derived from wild-caught fish. Wild capture of breeding stock also has a negative effect on the global population because all the groupers caught in any size category are kept and grown until they reach market size.

As ciguatera toxin is common in brown-marbled groupers' flesh, this limits fishing of this species in some geographic areas.

Over the last few years, some protective measures and/or sustainable fishing methods have been introduced by many states where spawning aggregations are known, for example, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Malaysia, Solomon Islands, and Palau.[8][1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Rhodes, K.; Sadovy, Y.; Samoilys, M. (2018). "Epinephelus fuscoguttatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T44673A100468078. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T44673A100468078.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Epinephelus fuscoguttatus". FishBase. December 2019 version.
  3. ^ Introduction to Monitoring and Management of Spawning Aggregations and Aggregation Sites for Three Indo-Pacific Grouper Species (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus, Epinephelus polyphekadion, and Plectropomus areolatus), THE NATURE CONSERVANCY, Indo-Pacific Draft Field Manual, June 2003, http://www.reefresilience.org/pdf/manual_field_practitioners.pdf
  4. ^ Lieske, E. and R. Myers, 1994. Collins Pocket Guide. Coral reef fishes. Indo-Pacific & Caribbean including the Red Sea. Harper Collins Publishers, 400 p.
  5. ^ Lieske & Myers,Coral reef fishes,Princeton University Press, 2009, ISBN 9780691089959
  6. ^ Brulé & Déniel, ‘’ Expose synoptique des données biologiques sur le mérou rouge Epinephelus morio (valenciennes, 1828) du Golfe du Mexique’’, F.A.O., 1994,ISBN 9252034633
  7. ^ Pears, R.J., J.H. Choat, B.D. Mapstone and G.A. Begg, 2006. Demography of a large grouper, Epinephelus fuscoguttatus, from Australia's Great barrier reef: implications for fishery management. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 307:259-272.
  8. ^ "Facts about Brown-marbled Grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) - Encyclopedia of Life". Archived from the original on 2013-10-19. Retrieved 2013-06-28.
[edit]
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