Starspotted grouper
white spots scattered in a stone wall pattern.
| Scientific name | Epinephelus hexagonatus |
| English name | Starspotted grouper |
| Japanese name | 石垣羽太 |
| Classification | Actinopterygii |
| Classification details | Perciformes Epinephelinae |
| Full length | about 20cm. |
| Distribution | distributed in the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific Ocean. |
Characteristics
This grouper has a stone wall pattern all over its body.
Dark brown spots are scattered across its pale brown body. Small white spots are lined up around this pattern. As its English name "Starspotted" suggests, it looks like stars.
How to distinguish it from Kanmon Grouper.
Kanmon Grouper and Ishigaki Grouper are very similar, but you can tell them apart by the white spots around the pattern. Ishigaki Grouper has small white spots. Thanks to these spots, the contrast between the dark brown and white at first glance appears stronger than that of Kanmon Grouper.
Ecology
They live in the shallows of reefs and coral reefs. They often hide under rocks. They prey on crustaceans and small fish.
Even as adults, they only grow to about 20cm.
Habitat
Araki, Miura Peninsula
On a day when the tide was high, they were found emerging from behind a sea urchin under a rock.
The brown and white pattern was clear. After staying still on a rock in the sun for a while, they returned to the shade of the rock.
Pictures
Introducing a picture of Starspotted grouper.
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