GROUPERS
SERRANIDAE
Rock Hind
Epinephelus adscensionis
    Ecological Descriptors
Habitat Size (cm) Diet Behaviour Sex 
Co, R to 60 Cru, Pisc I PGH
 
 
Description:
Adult: Head and body yellowish-brown to greenish, covered with
red-brown spots (including on fins) and scattered pale blotches. 2-5 dark saddles along top of back. Black blotch on top of caudal peduncle (cf Red Hind). Sometimes has a dark stripe from snout through and behind eye. Can pale to almost white, or darken dramatically. Tail not highly rounded cf Graysby.
Juvenile: Fewer and relatively larger dark spots plus more obvious pale spotting. Two black saddles on upper back and 1 on tail base.

Ecology
Inhabits rocky reefs in depths of 2 to 120m (6-360ft), often drifts near the bottom. Usually solitary. Feeds mainly on crabs (67%) and fishes (20%), which are drawn into their gullets by suction created when they open their large mouths. Held securely by thousands of small, rasp-like teeth that cover the jaws, tongue and palate, the prey is swallowed whole.
 
Life Cycle:
Fast growing and relatively short lived reaching 300 mm FL in four years with a maximum size of 60 cm. Monandrous species, maturingonly as females and have the ability to change to male sex after maturity.
Rock Hind
Rock Hind
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