SERRANIDAE


Epinephelus ongus, 18.0 cm SL
(photo by Seishi Kimura)


Epinephelus ongus
(Bloch, 1790)
White-streaked Grouper

D XI, 14-16; A III, 8; P1 15-17; LLp 48-53; GR 8-10 + 15-18.

Body depth 2.7-3.2 in SL; preopercle rounded, upper edge of operculum strongly arched, the rear edge almost vertical. Scales on body ctenoid except anteriorly above lateral line, on thorax and abdomen. Color: adults brown with numerous small white spots on body which tend to form irregular horizontal rows and may coalesce into narrow stripes; several round or irregular pale blotches usually superimposed over small white spots; head brown, finely dotted with white dorsally behind eye; a prominent black streak at upper edge of maxillary groove; median fins grayish brown, finely spotted with white; the posterior margins blackish with a white edge. Juveniles brown with white spots, partially edged in dark brown; pectoral fins yellow with white dots. Size: maximum length about 32 cm. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: East Africa to New Caledonia. Remarks: related to E. summana known only from the Red Sea.(Ukkrit Satapoomin)