Comet grouper
| Comet grouper | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Epinephelus morrhua from New Caledonia | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Serranidae |
| Genus: | Epinephelus |
| Species: | E. morrhua |
| Binomial name | |
| Epinephelus morrhua Valenciennes, 1833 | |
The comet grouper (Epinephelus morrhua) is a species of deepwater fish in the family Serranidae. It occurs from the Red Sea and eastern Africa to the central Pacific Ocean. Other common names include comet cod, banded-cheek reef-cod, contour rockcod, and blue groper.[1]
This species is found near coral reefs at depths from 80 to 370 m (260 to 1,210 ft) and is not migratory. It is sometimes confused with its relatives E. poecilonotus, E. radiatus, and E. tuamotoensis. Although it is reported to be a gamefish, it is not commonly seen in markets. It has also been associated with ciguatera poisoning.[2]
This fish reaches up to a meter long and 10 kilograms in weight.[1]
This species harbours several parasite species, including the diplectanid monogeneans Pseudorhabdosynochus morrhua and P. variabilis.
References
- 1 2 3 Kulbicki, M. & Yeeting, B. 2008. Epinephelus morrhua. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. Downloaded on 27 March 2015.
- ↑ Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2006). "Epinephelus morrhua" in FishBase. 5 2006 version.