Draft:Cephalopholis microprion
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| Cephalopholis microprion | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Division: | Teleostei |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Epinephelidae |
| Genus: | Cephalopholis |
| Species: | C. microprion |
| Binomial name | |
| Cephalopholis microprion (Bleeker, 1852) | |
Cephalopholis microprion, commonly known as the freckled grouper, dot-head rockcod, or freckled hind, is a marine ray-finned fish species in the family Serranidae, subfamily Epinephelinae. It is found throughout tropical regions of the western Pacific Ocean, particularly associated with silty or sheltered reefs.
Distribution
[edit]- Cephalopholis microprion* is widely distributed in the tropical western Pacific. Its documented range includes the Andaman Sea, Gulf of Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Great Barrier Reef, Solomon Islands, and New Caledonia. It inhabits coastal reefs, midshelf lagoons, and backreef areas, often in silty or sheltered environments from shallow waters down to about 52 meters, but is most common at depths of 2–30 meters.[web:6][web:7][web:13][web:10][web:21]
Description
[edit]Adults typically reach up to 25 cm in total length. The species is characterized by an olive or dark brown head heavily covered with fine blue or bluish-white spots, and a light yellow to olive rear body. There may be a whitish area on the back half of the body. The dorsal fin has 9 spines and 15-16 soft rays; the anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays. Scales are ctenoid, and the fins tend to have blue margins. The caudal fin is rounded, and the body is moderately deep (body depth is about 2.5–2.8 in standard length). Juveniles are often found under coral cover with rubble substrates. Behaviourally, these groupers are solitary, shy, and secretive, frequently sheltering inside corals or reef holes.[web:7][web:10][web:3]
This species feeds on fishes and crustaceans. It prefers silty or muddy reef areas and may occur at depths ranging from 2 to 52 meters, although most commonly found to about 20–30 meters. The species is harmless to humans and of minor interest to fisheries.[web:7][web:6][web:10][web:13]
Conservation status
[edit]- Cephalopholis microprion* is listed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN. It is relatively common where it occurs and faces no significant threats over its range.[web:10][web:7]
References
[edit]- FishBase: Cephalopholis microprion[web:3][web:7]
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service profile[web:8]
- Reef Life Survey[web:10]
- FAO Species Catalogue[web:13]
- IUCN Red List[web:7]
- World Register of Marine Species[web:16]
External links
[edit]- [FishBase: Cephalopholis microprion](https://fishbase.se/summary/Speciessummary.php?id=6449) [web:3][web:7]
- [IUCN Red List entry](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/132784/100468564) [web:7]
- [Reef Life Survey](https://reeflifesurvey.com/species/cephalopholis-microprion/) [web:10]
- [Fishes of Australia profile](https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/4413) [web:19]
Category:Cephalopholis Category:Marine fish of Asia Category:Fish described in 1852 Category:IUCN Red List least concern species