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Epinephelus longispinis (Kner, 1864)
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Epinephelus longispinis (Kner, 1864)
  • Photo. John Nevill (c) 2019
  • Photo. John Nevill (c) 2019
  • Photo. John Nevill (c) 2019
Genus: , ,

Scientific Name: Epinephelus longispinis

English Name: Longspine grouper

Creole Name: Vyey prine

French Name: Mérou longues épines

IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC)



Information

Description:

Dorsal spines: 11; Dorsal rays: 16-17; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 8.

Medium-sized grouper with moderately slender and elongate body. Convex dorsal head profile. Interorbital area flat to slightly convex. Posterior nostril not much larger than anterior. 
2 rows of teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw. Maxilla reaches to or past vertical at rear edge of eye. Dorsal fin 3rd and 4th spine longest and distinctly longer than 
longest dorsal rays.  Slightly rounded caudal fin.

Colour. Light to golden brown body (darker dorsally, lighter ventrally) with reddish to dark brown spots that are rounded and widely spaced on head and anterior half of body 
to obliquely elongated, more closely spaced and darker on posterior half of body. Ventral part of head and body with irregular pale blotches. Pale blotch on upper part of 
the operculum. Fins with similar dark brown spots; a row of dark spots along the distal margin of the soft dorsal and caudal fins. 2 to 4 dark blotches on body at base of 
dorsal fin and extending onto fin.
 


Size:

Maturity: Lm 23 cm TL. Range unknown. Max Length: 55 cm TL

(Nair 2018 cites length at maturity in India for males 42.2 cm and for females 38.5 cm TL.)


Habitat and Ecology:

 Inhabits coral and rocky reefs and occasionally on sandy bottom (depth 1-70 m). Feeds mainly on crustaceans.


Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the hand line and fish trap fishery and is a regular but not abundant component of the catch.


Notes:
References:

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. http://www.fishbase.se/summary/Epinephelus-longispinis (15/01/19).
Heemstra, P.C. & Randall, J.E. (1993). Groupers of the World. Vol. 16 FAO Species Catalogue. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125, Volume 16. FIR/S125 Vol. 16
Nair, R. (2018). Epinephelus longispinis. The IUCN Red List 2018: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T132748A100550090.en. (15/01/19).
Nevill, J. (2013). A Species Identification Guide for Commonly Caught Fish in the Seychelles Near-Shore Artisanal Fishery. GOS/UNDP/GEF.


Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Epinephelus longispinis, Longspine grouper. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/epinephelus-longispinis-kner-1864/ (revised 28/07/22).
 


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