Hyporthodus septemfasciatus, the convict grouper, is a large species of grouper known from the waters of Japan, South Korea and China. Reports from western Australia[1] are treated as misidentifications of Hyporthodus octofasciatus.[2] This species is unique among the groupers that it can tolerate temperatures of down to 8°C (46.4°F) and can grow up to 155 cm and 62.8 kg (61 inches and 138 lbs). This reef-associated species is found at depths of 5-30 m (16 to 98 ft) and feeds on small fishes and crustaceans.[3] In Japan, it is prized as a food fish and commercially cultured.[4]
This species is considered by some researchers to be a member of the genus Epinephelus.[2]
^ ab(pp 356, appendix pp.47) Craig, M.T.; Sadovy de Mitcheson, Y.J. and Heemstra, P.C. 2011. Groupers of the world: A field and market guide. NISC Ltd, Grahamstown.
