Epinephelus indistinctus Randall & Heemstra, 1991
Somali grouper
photo by Hermosa, Jr., G.V.

Family:  Epinephelidae (Groupers)
Max. size:  80 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 70 - 80 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: known only from the holotype caught off Somalia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-14; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Distinguished by the following characteristics: body depth contained 3.2 times in SL; head length 2.3 times in SL; convex interorbital area, slightly convex dorsal head profile; angular preopercle, shallow indentation above rounded angle, serrae not noticeably enlarged at the angle; upper edge of operculum almost straight; subequal anterior and posterior nostrils; 2 rows of subequal small teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw; front of jaws with small canines; pyloric caeca more than 50 (Ref. 89707).
Biology:  So far known only from the holotype (Ref. 30573).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 22 November 2016 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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