~ 131 ~  International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies 2017; 5(5): 131-134  E-ISSN: 2347-5129 P-ISSN: 2394-0506 (ICV-Poland) Impact Value: 5.62 (GIF) Impact Factor: 0.549 IJFAS 2017; 5(5): 131-134 © 2017 IJFAS www.fisheriesjournal.com Received: 24-07-2017 Accepted: 25-08-2017 Gino V Limmon (A). Department of Aquatic Resource Management, Faculty of Fishery and Marine Science, Pattimura University Ambon, Indonesia (B). Maritime and Marine Science Center of Excellence, Pattimura University, Ambon, Indonesia JA Pattikawa (A). Department of Aquatic Resource Management, Faculty of Fishery and Marine Science, Pattimura University Ambon, Indonesia. (B). Maritime and Marine Science Center of Excellence, Pattimura University, Ambon, Indonesia (C). Marine Science Postgraduate Program, Pattimura University, Ambon, Indonesia Correspondence JA Pattikawa (A). Department of Aquatic Resource Management, Faculty of Fishery and Marine Science, Pattimura University Ambon, Indonesia (B). Maritime and Marine Science Center of Excellence, Pattimura University, Ambon, Indonesia (C). Marine Science Postgraduate Program, Pattimura University, Ambon, Indonesia The first record of Saloptia powelli from Maluku waters, Eastern Indonesia Gino V Limmon and JA Pattikawa Abstract Four specimens of golden grouper Saloptia powelli were collected during the research to inventory reef food fish in Ambon Island from Mardika Fish Market and Asilulu village, Ambon Island, Maluku Province, Indonesia. This was the first reported of S. powelli so far in Maluku waters. Meristic characters of S. powelli were dorsal fin rays VIII,11; anal fin rays III, 8; pelvic fin rays I, 5; pectoral rays 14-15; caudal fin rays 17-18; scales on lateral line 76-78 and total gill rakers 24-26. The finding in the present study added new range distribution of S. powelli in Indonesian waters. Keywords: Saloptia powelli, golden grouper, serranidae, new record, Ambon Island 1. Introduction The physical seascape and complex geological history, has resulted in Indonesia having the greatest marine biodiversity in the world [1] . As one of the largest countries within the Coral Triangle, a global centre of marine endemism, Indonesia is considered to have the world’s richest coral reef fauna [1] . One of those coral reef fauna is fish of the family Serranidae. The serranid subfamily Epinephelinae recognized as groupers are the most important and economical fish in tropical and subtropical countries comprises about 160 species of marine fishes in 15 genera [2] . Seven genera comprises 39 species belong to subfamily Epinephelinae can be found in Indonesian waters [3, 4] . Saloptia powelli or golden grouper is a deep waters species of the subfamily Epinephelinae. As a deep water species, distribution of this species is lacking. According to Heemstra & Randall (1993) [2] , S. powelli is not present in Indonesian waters, but only found in Western Pacific to French Polynesia: Okinawa, Taiwan, South China Sea, Mariana Islands, Society Islands, Cook Islands, American Samoa, Fiji, and the Tuamotus. However, a recent study showed that this species also occurs in Indonesian waters, i.e. in North Sulawesi [5] . This paper aims to describe morphological characters (measurement and count) of golden grouper S. powelli. This species was found during the research to inventory reef food fish in Ambon Island and never been reported to be present in Maluku waters, Eastern Indonesia [6, 7] . 2. Materials and Methods Specimens of S. powelli were collected at Mardika Fish Market and at Asilulu village, Ambon, Maluku Province. The fishes were captured by traditional fishers of Asilulu Village using fish trap at the depth of 80 – 120m in Pulau Tiga (P. Ela, P. Hatala and P. Lain; Fig. 1). Each specimen of S. powelli was measured using caliper (accuracy 0.05mm) and then photographed by using Canon EOS 500D camera. Tissue was collected from the right part of the dorsal of the fish and then preserved in 95% ethanol. Voucher specimens (fish, tissue and photograph) were deposited at Marine Science Center of Exellence, Pattimura University Ambon.