Blacktip Grouper

Epinephelus fasciatus, is a species of marine fish in the family Serranidae.

Description

The blacktip grouper grows up to 40 cm in length and may weigh up to 2 kg, but its common size is average 22 cm. The tips of the spines of the dorsal fin are black, and it may have a dark red cap above the eyes. A variant occurs with a uniformly pale body except for the front part.

Distribution

The blacktip grouper is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific area from the Red Sea to South Africa, as far north as Korea, and in the waters around Australia to Pitcairn Islands. It is also commonly found around the Mascarene_Islands and is a prized commercial fish in Mauritius.

Parasites

Blacktip groupers are host of several parasites, including Pseudorhabdosynochus spp. (diplectanid Monogeneans) on the gills. The philometrid nematode Philometra fasciati is parasitic in the ovary of female fish; the adult female parasite is a red worm which can reach up to 40 centimetres in length, for a diameter of only 1.6 millimetre; the males are tiny.

Habitat

It feeds on crustaceans and smaller fishes by ambushing them. It is found associated with coral reefs from 4 m deep (more commonly from 15 m) up to 160 m, in both marine and brackish water, sometimes in groups of 10-15 individuals. Juveniles may find shelter in mangrove swamps.

Blacktip groupers of the Red Sea are fished by the Bedouin. It has also been associated with ciguatera poisoning.