Rock Hind, Epinephelus adscensionis
Rock Hind, Epinephelus adscemsionis, Juvenile Transitioning To Female. Fish caught from coastal waters of the Florida Middle Grounds. Length: 28 cm (11 inches). Catch, photograph and identification courtesy of George Brinkman, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
The Rock Hind, Epinephelus adscemsionis, is a member of the Grouper or Epinephelidae Family, and is known in Mexico as cabrilla payaso. Globally, there are one hundred species in the genus Epinephelus, of which eleven are found in Mexican waters, six in the Atlantic and five in the Pacific Ocean.
The Rock Hind has a robust compressed strong body that is deepest at the dorsal fin origin. They vary in color from tan to yellowish-brown to greenish on their head and body and are covered with reddish-brown spots, which become larger ventrally, and scattered pale blotches. Most fish have 1 to 4 dark saddles along the top of their back. They also have a black blotch on top of their caudal fin base; some fish have a dark stripe that runs from their snout through and behind their eyes. Juveniles have fewer but larger and more prominent pale and darker spots with 2 dark saddles on their upper back and 1 on their caudal fin base; their caudal fin is yellow and lacks spotting. Their head has a large terminal mouth equipped with thousands of small, rasp-like teeth on both jaws and on their tongue and palate. Their gill covers have 3 flat spines with the middle one being the largest. Their anal fin has 3 spines and 8 rays; their caudal fin is rounded; their dorsal fin has 11 spines, with the fourth or fifth being the longest, and 16 to 18 rays; and, their pelvic fins are shorter than the pectoral fins and originate behind the pectoral fin base. Their body is covered with smooth scales.
The Rock Hind is a reef associated solitary species found at depths up to 335 m (1,100 feet). Juveniles move to deeper waters as they mature. They are fast growing and reach a maximum of 61 cm (24 inches) in length and 4.4 kg (9 lbs 6 oz) in weight. As of January 1, 2023, the International Game Fish Association world record stood at 4.08 kg (9 lbs 0 oz) with the fish caught from coastal waters off the United Kingdom in April 1994. They feed primarily on crabs and small fish. Reproduction occurs in small haremic groups via protogynous hermaphroditism with females changing to males at midlife. They have a lifespan of up to thirty-three years but most do not live past ten years. The Rock Hind is poorly studied with very limited information available about their lifestyle and behavioral patterns including specific details on age, growth, longevity, movement patterns, diet, habitat use, and reproduction.
The Rock Hind is a resident of all Mexican waters of the Atlantic Ocean including the Gulf of Mexico and the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in the Caribbean.
The Rock Hind is most likely confused with the Red Hind, Epinephelus guttatus (tail with black margin but without spots; no black saddle on caudal fin base; smaller stature).
From a conservation perspective the Rock Hind is currently considered to be of Least Concern with stable, widely distributed populations. They are found in shallow waters making them very accessible as evidenced by stocks being depleted in several areas. As they are reef associated, habitat destruction is of concern to their long-term viability. They are also fished heavily by both commercial and recreational fishermen and represent the majority of shallow water catch in many locations. They flee on approach and will avoid divers. They are considered a quality food fish and marketed fresh, however, they are also prone to ciguatoxin contamination.