Author: Valenciennes, 1843
Epinephelus caninus Valenciennes, 1843
Status in World Register of Marine Species:
Accepted name: Epinephelus caninus (Valenciennes, 1843) (updated 2009-06-25)
Diagnosis: body elongate. Canine teeth more developed than in other Epinephelus species. D XI + 13-14; A III + 8; caudal fin truncate. Scales moderate in size, very rough. Colour: purplish-grey, head with 2 or 3 blackish oblique lines, tending to disappear in old individuals. Size: to 150 cm SL.
Habitat: muddy and sandy bottoms to about 300 m. Food: fishes and invertebrates. Reproduction: no data.
Distribution: eastern Atlantic from Morocco (Portugal?) to Senegal; also southern Mediterranean.
Eggs, larvae and young stages. Maurin, 1968: 70, fig. 37.
Otoliths (sagitta). Sanz EcheverrÃa, 1929: 74, pl. 5 (fig. 6).
Note. The exact distribution of this species is unknown because it was often confused with E. guaza.