Convict grouper is a fish of rocky reefs around Japan, Korea, and China. Young fish have bold dark bars that can become faint in large adults. Its native range does not include U.S. coastal waters.
Appearance
Appearance
Young fish show about seven dark bars on a brownish body. The bars can become faint on large adults.
Where it lives
Typical habitats
Rocky reefs
Range
Reliable records place it in the northwestern Pacific around Japan, Korea, and China. Records outside East Asia have sometimes confused it with the eightbar grouper (Hyporthodus octofasciatus).
Preferred conditions
In Japan, young fish use shallower water, while larger fish can move into deeper areas.
Behavior
Diet
In its East Asian range, it eats fish and .
Life cycle
Time to maturity
Some fish change from female to male as they grow.
Name and classification
About the name
Older sources may call this fish Epinephelus septemfasciatus. Convict grouper is also called the sevenband grouper.