mottled grouper
| Scientific name | Mycteroperca rubra |
|---|---|
| Descriptor | Bloch |
| Year of description | 1793 |
| IUCN category | LC |
| Family | Serranidae |
| Genus | Mycteroperca |
Introduction
Mycteroperca rubra, commonly known as mottled grouper, is a salt water fish.
Who is it?
Morphology
-
Average size80 cm
-
Maximum size144 cm
-
Longevity25 year
-
Mimicryplants
-
Patternmultiple
-
Average size80 cm
-
Maximum size144 cm
-
Longevity25 year
-
Mimicryplants
-
Patternmultiple
How to recognize the mottled grouper ?
The mottled grouper measures around 80 cm. The dominant males can however reach 144 cm. This fish is bicolore with a predominantly argent and marron body. The also has argent multiple.
Sexual dimorphism
The adult male is bigger than the female.
Behaviour & Life cycle
-
dietcarnivorous
-
Sociabilitysolitary
-
territorialYes
-
Way of livingdiurnal
The mottled grouper is a fish solitary naturally found at mid-depth and near the bottom. This species is carnivorous .
This species is territorial and does not appreciate the presence of intruders nearby, especially animals with similar behavior. It can also be virulent toward conspecifics. However, the mottled grouper has little concern for non-territorial animals. In a constant quest for dominance, the dominant males of this species cannot stand each other. The battle between two individuals can be intense and violent. It will result in the submission and sometimes even death of one of the protagonists.
Reproduction
-
Reproductionovipare qui pond en eau libre
-
Hermaphroditeprotogynous
The mottled grouper is a fish ovipare qui pond en eau libre. always born female. Growing up, individuals will change sex to become male, this is called successive hermaphroditism of the protogynous type.
Harmless species
This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.
Where to find it?
What is its habitat?
Natural environment characteristics
-
Temperature15 - 26 °C
-
Depth15 - 50 m
-
FlowMedium and Slow
Biotope presentation
The mottled grouper is most often found at a depth between 15m and 50m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.
To go further
Sources & Contributions
Participation & Validation
The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.
Benoit Chartrer
Aurélien Calas
Translation
Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.
Bibliographic references
ECOLOGY OF THE MOTTLED GROUPER (MYCTEROPERCA RUBRA) IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN - Andrey Aronov - Menachem Goren - Electronic Journal of Ichthyology - 2008.
Les relations des espèces de mérous à leur habitat – Epinephelus marginatus, E. costae et Mycteroperca rubra - dans la région de Kas, Turquie, Méditerranée Orientale - LOUISY Patrick - GANTEAUME Anne - FRANCOUR Patrice - 2nd Symposium on Mediterranean Groupers - 2007.
Tags
Species of the same family
Scientific partners
