Animal Species:Thinspine Grouper, Gracila albomarginata (Fowler & Bean, 1930)

The Thinspine Grouper can be recognised by its distinctive colouration. Adults have 16 to 20 dark bars on the side of the body, a square white patch on the upper sides, and a black spot on the caudal peduncle. Juveniles are brown or purplish with bright red markings on the fins.

A Thinspine Grouper at Tavarua Wall

A Thinspine Grouper at Tavarua Wall
David and Leanne Atkinson © David and Leanne Atkinson

Alternative Name/s

The Thinspine Grouper has also been called the Masked Grouper, Red-edged Grouper, Slenderspine Grouper, Thinspine Rockcod and White-square Cod.

Identification

The Thinspine Grouper can be recognised by its distinctive colouration. Adults have 16 to 20 dark bars on the side of the body, a square white patch on the upper sides, and a black spot on the caudal peduncle. Juveniles are brown or purplish with bright red markings on the fins.

Size range

It grows to 40 cm in length.

Distribution

The Thinspine Grouper occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West and Central Pacific.

In Australia it is known from the offshore islands of north-western Western Australia and north-eastern Queensland.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Gracila albomarginata

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Thinspine Grouper specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The Thinspine Grouper is a benthic species that is found in coral reef and inshore waters between depths of 15 m and 120 m.

Classification

Species:
albomarginata
Genus:
Gracila
Family:
Serranidae
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  3. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.


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Tags Thinspine Grouper, Gracila albomarginata, distinctive colouration, stripes or bands, square white patch, dots/spots, Masked Grouper, Red-edged Grouper, Slenderspine Grouper, Thinspine Rockcod, White-square Cod, 30 cm - 1 m, offshore, benthic, coral reef, marine,