Home · Serranidae · Hong Kong grouper
Hong Kong grouper (Epinephelus akaara) — Serranidae

Hong Kong grouper

Epinephelus akaara
Family: Serranidae
EN · Endangered

The Hong Kong grouper (Epinephelus akaara) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 58 cm.

Length
58 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–55.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Hong Kong grouper is a grouper (Epinephelidae) from the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 58 cm and has a robust, stocky body with a large mouth. The red-brown body is scattered with orange and dark spots. As a bottom-oriented ambush predator it shelters in crevices, caves and wrecks of coral and rocky reefs and engulfs fish and crustaceans. Many groupers change sex. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hong Kong grouper?

The Hong Kong grouper has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Hong Kong grouper live?

The Hong Kong grouper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Hong Kong grouper get?

The Hong Kong grouper grows to a maximum of about 58 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Hong Kong grouper dangerous to humans?

No, the Hong Kong grouper is harmless to humans.

Is the Hong Kong grouper edible?

Yes, the Hong Kong grouper is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Hongkong-tandbaars sourced
English name
Hong Kong grouper sourced
Scientific name
Epinephelus akaara
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Hong Kong grouper; Red grouper; Redspotted grouper verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
58.0 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
55.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Epinephelus

More from the family Serranidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →