Description:

Dorsal spines: 9; Dorsal rays: 14-16; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 8-9.

A small moderately full-bodied grouper. The maxilla reaches well past the eye. Caudal fin is rounded. 

Colour. Body reddish brown to brownish red becoming darker posteriorly to a blackish red. A prominent dark spot between the upper and middle opercular spines may be present. A pair of small dark spots on the edge of the lower lip may be pronounced in some individuals. The head has numerous small close set orange-red spots, sometimes with  irregular reddish brown blotches. The soft dorsal and anal fins have small orange-red spots, the outer triangular part of the interspinous dorsal fin membranes is orange. The pectoral fins typically have a broad dark brown to almost black margin. Pelvic fins are orange red with a dark edges. Caudal fin dark reddish brown to almost black with small pale spots.

Size:

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max length : 28.0 cm.

Habitat and Ecology:

Inhabits shallow coral and rocky reefs (Depth 0-60 m, usually 0-15 m). Feeds on small fishes and crustaceans.

Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the hand line and trap fishery. Its abundance in the catch is hard to assess as it is 
typically mistaken for C. sonnerati, with which it shares the creole name “Msye Angar”.  

Notes:

Fishers do not distinguish between C. nigripinnis and C. sonnerati calling them both “Msye Angar”. 
 

References:

Bray, D.J. (2017). Cephalopholis nigripinnis in Fishes of Australia, http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/5111 (02/01/19).
Craig, M.T. et al. (2011). Groupers of the World - a field and market guide. NISC (Pty) Ltd, South Africa. ISBN: 978-1-920033-11-8
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2019). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.de/summary/66482 (02/01/19).
Sadovy, Y. (2018). Cephalopholis nigripinnis. The IUCN Red List 2018: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T132786A100456392.en. (02/01/19).
 

Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Cephalopholis nigripinnis, Blackfin grouper. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/cephalopholis-nigripinnis-valenciennes-1828/ (edited 24/07/22).