Squaretail coral grouper

Squaretail coral grouper
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Epinephelidae
Genus: Plectropomus
Species:
P. areolatus
Binomial name
Plectropomus areolatus
Rüppell, 1830
Synonyms
  • Plectropoma areolatum
    Rüppell, 1830
  • Plectropomus areolatum
    Rüppell, 1830
  • Plectropomus trancatus
    Fowler & Bean, 1930
  • Plectropomus truncatus
    Fowler & Bean, 1930

The squaretail coral grouper (Plectropomus areolatus) is a species of marine ray-finned fish. It is a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae, which is part of the family Serranidae. This family also includes anthias and sea basses. The squaretail coral grouper is also known as the spotted coral trout or the squaretail coral trout, and is fast-growing, short-lived, and early-maturing. However, due to the continued decrease in its population, it is now classified as vulnerable, as it continues to face threats from human activity.