Family Serranidae |
FishBase currently recognizes 449 species in 62 genera in the family Serranidae. New species are found regularly though so don't expect these figures to remain constant. Serranids range in size from 3.5 cm long perchlets to monstrous 3m long groupers. One characteristic they all share is that they are all carnivores. The sex life of serranids is interesting. Some, such as the fairy basslets in the genus Pseudanthias start life as females and change sex to males later in life. Males maintain a harem of females - males can often be seen busy chasing rival males away from their girls. I was once lucky enough to see what I believe was spawning behavior in a Pseudanthias squamipinnis. My attention was attracted by a whirl of color in a small coral "cave". On checking it out I found an orange female being circled at high speed by a male. He had assumed a much darker color pattern than normal males. I watched for perhaps two minutes during which the male's frenetic activity never slowed. I was unable to take a photograph as I couldn't maneuver the flash guns into position. The male was moving so quickly that he was quite literally just a blur. I was astounded that he could maintain such high speed in such a confined space. I assume this was spawning behavior but I didn't stick around long enough to see the outcome. The basslets, usually found on coral reefs, school in vast numbers during the turning tide when currents are high. This brings fish eggs and zooplakton with it. For a while there is a truce between males while they concentrate on filling their bellies. Grouper are serial hermaphrodites - they start their reproductive life as females and then change to males. Grouper may aggregate to spawn and are vulnerable to fishing at this time. The soapfishes (subfamily Grammistinae) produce a skin toxin which deters other fishes from predating them. According to this website grammistins are antibacterial peptide toxins "Some of these peptides have hemolytic and ichthyotoxic activities and all have antibacterial activity with a broad spectrum (Sugiyama et al, 2005; Shiomi et al, 2000)." Because of an ever-expanding human population the larger grouper are highly endangered. In the United States the Atlantic goliath grouper or itajara (Epinephelus itajara) is protected. In Australia the giant grouper Epinephelus lanceolatus was protected in the early 1980s.
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Alphestes immaculatus Pacific Mutton Hamlet |
FISH 6642 Alphestes immaculatus Pacific Mutton Hamlet, Sea of Cortez. |
FISH 1977 Alphestes immaculatus Pacific mutton hamlet Isla Benedicto, Revillagigedo Islands |
FISH 2090 Alphestes immaculatus Pacific mutton hamlet Isla Benedicto, Revillagigedo Islands |
Anyperodon leucogrammicus Slender grouper |
FISH 0222 Anyperodon leucogrammicus Slender grouper, Kri, Raja Ampat, West Papua |
FISH 8738 Anyperodon leucogrammicus Slender grouper Kri Eco Raja Ampat. |
FISH 8737 Anyperodon leucogrammicus Slender grouper, Kri Eco, Raja Ampat |
Caesioperca lepidoptera Butterfly perch |
Caesioperca lepidoptera Butterfly perch school photographed in New Zealand's Fiordland. |
Caesioperca lepidoptera Butterfly perch, Fiordland |
Caprodon longimanus Pink maomao |
Caprodon longimanus Pink maomao, captive, New Zealand. |
Cephalopholis argus Peacock grouper |
FISH 410 Cephalopholis argus Peacock grouper, Taveuni, Fiji. |
FISH 7846 Cephalopholis argus Peacock grouper Puerto Galera, Philippines. |
Cephalopholis cyanostigma Bluespotted grouper |
FISH 0114 Cephalopholis cyanostigma Bluespotted grouper, Kri, Raja Ampat, West Papua. |
FISH 8490 Cephalopholis cyanostigma Bluespotted grouper, Goggle Garden, Great Barrier Reef. |
Cephalopholis hemistiktos Yellowfin hind |
FISH 1932 Cephalopholis hemistiktos Yellowfin hind Red Sea |
Cephalopholis miniata Coral grouper |
FISH 4392 Cephalopholis miniata Coral grouper, Taveuni, Fiji. |
FISH 7409 Cephalopholis miniata, Coral grouper, Kri Eco, Raja Ampat |
FISH 4237 Cephalopholis miniata Coral grouper, Raja Ampat, West Papua. |
Cephalopholis sexmaculata Saddle grouper |
FISH 1342 Cephalopholis sexmaculata Saddle grouper, Kri Eco |
FISH 3252 Cephalopholis sexmaculata Saddle grouper, Kri Eco |
FISH 8719 Cephalopholis sexmaculata Saddle grouper, Kri Eco. |
Cephalopholis panamensis Panama Graysby |
FISH 6214 Cephalopholis panamensis, Panama Graysby, Sea of Cortez. |
FISH 6215 Cephalopholis panamensis, Panama Graysby, Sea of Cortez. |
Cephalopholis sexfasciatus Saddle grouper |
FISH 4122 Cephalopholis sexfasciatus Saddle grouper, Somosomo Strait, Taveuni. |
Cephalopholis spiloparaea Strawberry grouper |
FISH 4051 Cephalopholis spiloparaea Strawberry grouper, Taveuni, Fiji. |
Cephalopholiis spiloparaea Strawberry grouper photographed in Fiji. |
FISH 7353 Cephalopholis spiloparaea Strawberry grouper, Kri Eco, Raja Ampat. |
Cephalopholis urodeta Flagtail grouper |
FISH 9928 Cephalopholis urodeta, Flagtail grouper, Kadavu, Fiji. |
Cromileptes altivelis Barramundi cod |
FISH 8777 Cromileptes altivelis Barramundi cod Kri Eco Raja Ampat. |
Dermatolepis dermatolepis Leather bass |
FISH 1860 Dermatolepis dermatolepis Leather bass adult Isla Benedicto, Revillagigedos Islands, Mexico |
FISH 1637 Dermatolepis dermatolepis Leather bass juveniles in urchins Isla Benedicto, Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico |
FISH 1638 Dermatolepis dermatolepis Leather bass juveniles in urchins Isla Benedicto, Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico |
Diploprion bifasciatum Doublebanded soapfish |
FISH 1491 Diploprion bifasciatum Doublebanded soapfish Raja Ampat West Papua. |
FISH 1479 Diploprion bifasciatum Doublebanded soapfish Raja Ampat West Papua. |
FISH 7605 Diploprion bifasciatum Doublebanded soapfish Raja Ampat West Papua. |
FISH 8628 Diplorion bifasciatum Doublebanded soapfish, Kri, Raja Ampat, West Papua. |
Epinephelus caeruleopunctatus Whitespotted grouper |
FISH 7338 Epinephelus caeruleopunctatus Whitespotted grouper, Taveuni, Fiji. |
Epinephelus clippertonensis Clipperton grouper |
FISH 1839 Epinephelus clippertonensis, Clipperton grouper, Roca Partida, Revillagigedos Islands, Mexico |
Epinephelus cruentatus Graysby |
FISH 3280 Epinephelus cruentatus, Graysby (Serranidae), Glover's Reef, Belize. |
Epinephelus fasciatus Blacktip grouper |
FISH 1932 Epinephelus fasciatus Blacktip grouper, Raja Ampat, West Papua. |
FISH 7804 Epinephelus fasciatus Blacktip grouper, Kri Eco, Raja Ampat. |
FISH 9848 Epinephelus fasciatus Blacktip grouper night time coloration Raja Ampat. |
FISH 7860 Epinephelus fasciatus Blacktip grouper, Puerto Galera, Philippines. |
Epinephelus fuscoguttatus Flowery cod |
Epinephelus fuscoguttatus Flowery cod, Nigali Passge, Fiji. |
Epinephelus fulvus Coney |
Epinephelus fulvus Coney photographed in Belize at Glover's Reef. |
Epinephelus guttatus Red hind |
FISH 3297 Epinephelus guttatus, red hind, Glover's Reef, Belize. |
FISH 3300 Epinephelus guttatus, red hind, Glover's Reef, Belize. |
Epinephelus guttatus Red hind. Glover's Reef, Belize. |
Epinephelus labriformis Flag cabrilla |
FISH 5447 Epinephelus labriformis Flag cabrilla Sea of Cortez. |
FISH 6161 Epinephelus labriformis Flag cabrilla Sea of Cortez. |
Epinephelus maculatus Highfin grouper |
FISH 8158 Epinephelus maculatus Highfin grouper Puerto Galera, Philippines. |
Epinephelus merra Honeycomb grouper |
Epinephelus merra Honeycomb grouper, Kadavu, Fiji. |
Epinephelus ongus Whitestreaked grouper |
FISH 7334 Epinephelus ongus Whitestreaked grouper juvenile Puerto Galera, Philippines. |
FISH 7867 Epinephelus ongus Whitestreaked grouper, Puerto Galera, Philippines. |
FISH 7873 Epinephelus ongus Whtestreaked grouper juvenile Puerto Galera, Philippines. |
Epinephelus spilotoceps Four-saddle grouper |
FISH 6975 Epinephelus spilotoceps, Four-saddle grouper, Kri Eco, Raja Ampat. |
Epinephelus striatus Nassau Grouper |
Epinephelus striatus Nassau grouper being groomed by neon goby, Glover's Reef, Belize. |
FISH 3172 Epinephelus striatus, Nassau grouper, Glover's Reef, Belize. |
Epinephelus tauvina Greasy grouper |
FISH 1628 Epinephelus tauvina Greasy grouper Red Sea (crappy photo bu the only one I have!) |
Epinephelus tukula Potato grouper or potato cod |
FISH 8248 Epinephelus tukula Potato grouper or Potato cod , Cod Hole, Great Barrier Reef. |
FISH 8243 Epinephelus tukula Potato grouper or Potato cod checking me out, Cod Hole, Great Barrier Reef |
FISH 8245 Epinephelus tukula Potato grouper or Potato cod with cleaner fish and diver, Cod Hole, Great Barrier Reef |
FISH 8238 Epinephelus tukula Potato grouper or Potato cod with cleaner fish in mouth, Cod Hole, Great Barrier Reef |
FISH 8240 Epinephelus tukula Potato grouper or Potato cod with cleaner fish, Cod Hole, Great Barrier Reef |
FISH 8240b Epinephelus tukula Potato grouper or Potato cod with cleaner fish, Cod Hole, Great Barrier Reef - full frame of the shot above |
FISH 8244 Epinephelus tukula Potato grouper or Potato cod with cleaner fish, Cod Hole, Great Barrier Reef |
Hypoplectrodes huntii Banded perch |
Hypoplectrodes huntii Banded perch and black coral in New Zealand's Fiordland. |
Hypoplectrus unicolor Hamlet |
Hypoplectrus unicolor var. puella, barred hamlet, Glover's Reef, Belize. |
Hypoplectrus unicolor var. nigricans, black hamlet, Glover's Reef, Belize. |
Hypoplectrus unicolor var. indigo, indigo hamlet, Glover's Reef, Belize. |
FISH 3179 Hypoplectrus indigo, Indigo hamlet, Glover's Reef, Belize. |
FISH 3209 Hypoplectrus indigo, Indigo hamlet, Glover's Reef, Belize - I just can't resist photographing these guys - they are sooo beautiful. |
Lepidoperca tasmanica Wavylined perch |
Lepidoperca tasmanica Wavylined perch. Deepwater emergent in New Zealand's Fiordland. |
Lepidoperca tasmanica Wavylined perch |
Lepidoperca tasmanica Wavylined perch lateral |
Luzonichthys waitei Slender anthias |
Luzonichthys waitei Slender anthias, Taveuni, Fiji |
Mycteroperca bonaci Black grouper |
Mycteroperca bonaci Black grouper, Bahamas |
Mycteroperca bonaci Black grouper, Bahamas |
Mycteroperca rosacea Leopard grouper |
FISH 6114 Mycteroperca rosacea Leopard grouper Sea of Cortez. |
Mycteroperca tigris Tiger grouper |
FISH 3174 Mycteroperca tigris, tiger grouper, Glover's Reef, Belize. |
FISH 3175 Mycteroperca tigris, tiger grouper, Glover's Reef, Belize. |
FISH 2730 Mycteroperca tigris, tiger grouper, Glover's Reef, Belize. |
FISH 2731 Mycteroperca tigris, tiger grouper, Glover's Reef, Belize. |
Paranthias colonus Pacific creolefish |
FISH 6962 Paranthias colonus Pacific creolefish intermediate, Sea of Cortez. |
FISH 2137 Paranthias colonus Pacific creolefish, the Boiler, San Benedicto, Revillagigedo Islands |
Plectropomus laevis Blacksaddle coral grouper |
FISH 8381 Plectropomus laevis Blacksaddle coral grouper, Lighthouse Bommie, Great Barrier Reef |
Plectropomus leopardus Leopard Coral grouper |
FISH 8420 Plectropomus leopardus Leopard Coral grouper, Coral Kingdom, Great Barrier Reef |
FISH 8241 Plectropomus leopardus Leopard Coral grouper, Coral Kingdom, Great Barrier Reef. This is the same fish in the shot above taken a few seconds later! |
Plectropomus oligocanthus Highfin coral trout |
FISH 8243 Plectropomus oligocanthus Highfin coral trout Kri Eco, Raja Ampat. |
FISH 8243 Plectropomus oligocanthus Highfin coral trout Kri Eco, Raja Ampat. Looks as if it has been recently attacked ... |
FISH 8244 Plectropomus oligocanthus Highfin coral trout Kri Eco, Raja Ampat |
Pseudanthias dispar Redfin anthias |
FISH 2838 Pseudanthias dispar, Redfin anthias male, Raja Ampat, West Papua |
FISH 7266 Pseudanthias dispar, Redfin anthias male, Raja Ampat, West Papua |
FISH 8787 Pseudanthias dispar Redfin anthias male, Steve's Bommie, Great Barrier Reef |
FISH 8780 Pseudanthias dispar Redfin anthias male, Steve's Bommie, Great Barrier Reef |
Pseudanthias huchti Threadfin anthias |
FISH 2802 Pseudanthias huchti Threadfin anthias male, Raja Ampat, West Papua |
FISH 2800 Pseudanthias huchti Threadfin anthias females, Raja Ampat, West Papua |
FISH 3380 Pseudanthias huchti Threadfin anthias male, Pseudanthias tucha females in back, Raja Ampat, West Papua |
Pseudanthias hypselosoma Stocky anthias |
FISH 3641 Pseudanthias hypselosoma Stocky anthias females, Kadavu, Fiji. |
Pseudanthias pascalus Purple queen |
Pseudanthias pascalus Purple queen. Male with females in background. Solo Reef, Fiji. |
Pseudanthias pascalus Purple queen. Male, Solo Reef, Kadavu, Fiji |
Pseudanthias pleurotaenia Squarespot anthias |
FISH 6931 Pseudanthias pleurotaenia, Squarespot Anthias male, Kri Eco, Raja Ampat |
FISH 6940 Pseudanthias pleurotaenia Squarespot anthias male, Kri Eco, Raja Ampat. |
Pseudanthias squamipinnis Scalefin anthias |
Pseudanthias squamipinnis Scalefin anthias. Male, purple variant. Fiji. |
FISH 4084 Female Pseudanthias squamipinnis Scalefin anthias, Taveuni, Fiji. |
FISH 7116 Pseudanthias squamipinnis male scalefin anthias Red Sea |
Pseudanthias tuka Purple anthias |
FISH 3384 Pseudanthias tuka Purple anthias male and females, Raja Ampat West Papua. |
FISH 3383 Pseudanthias tuka Purple anthias male, Raja Ampat West Papua |
FISH 9281 Pseudanthias tuka Purple anthias Kri Eco Raja Ampat. |
FISH 9283 Pseudanthias tuka Purple queen female Kri Eco Raja Ampat. |
Rypticus bicolor Mottled soapfish |
FISH 1767 Rypticus bicolor Mottled soapfish, Roca Partida, Revillagigedo Islands |
FISH 1769 Rypticus bicolor Mottled soapfish, Roca Partida, Revillagigedo Islands |
Rypticus saponaceus Greater soapfish |
Rypticus saponaceus Greater soapfish, Bahamas. |
Serranocirrhitus latus Hawk anthias |
FISH 4138 Serranocirrhitus latus Hawk anthias, Taveuni, Fiji. |
Serranocirrhitus latus Hawk anthias in typical swimming position. Solo Reef, Kadavu, Fiji |
Serranus psittacinus Barred serrano |
FISH 2212 Serranus psittacinus Barred serrano, Sea of Cortez. |
Serranus tabacarius Tobacco bass |
FISH 2580 Serranus tabacarius, Tobacco bass, Glover's Reef, Belize. |
FISH 0823 Serranus tabacarius, Tobaccofish, Roatan. |
Serranus tigrinus Harlequin bass |
Serranus tigrinus Harlequin bass, Glover's Reef, Belize. |
Serranus tigrinus Harlequin bass, Glover's Reef, Belize. |
FISH 3197 Serranus tigrinus, Harlequin bass, Glover's Reef, Belize. |
FISH 3198 Serranus tigrinus, Harlequin bass, Glover's Reef, Belize. |
Variola louti Yellow-edged lyretail |
FISH 1683 Variola louti Yellow-edged lyretail Red Sea |
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