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Brownspotted grouper (Epinephelus chlorostigma) — Serranidae

Brownspotted grouper

Epinephelus chlorostigma
Family: Serranidae
LC · Least Concern

The Brownspotted grouper (Epinephelus chlorostigma) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 80 cm.

Length
80 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
4.0–300.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The brownspotted grouper is a grouper (Serranidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a robust, light-brown body densely covered with numerous round brown spots. It occurs in a range of habitats, from seagrass beds and mud bottoms to outer reef slopes. As a predator it takes fishes and crustaceans. Like many groupers it is protogynous: females can change into males. Harmless to handle, but large animals may contain ciguatera toxin.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brownspotted grouper?

The Brownspotted grouper has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Brownspotted grouper live?

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

How big does the Brownspotted grouper get?

The Brownspotted grouper grows to a maximum of about 80 cm. On average the species is around 50 cm.

Is the Brownspotted grouper dangerous to humans?

No, the Brownspotted grouper is harmless to humans.

Is the Brownspotted grouper edible?

Yes, the Brownspotted grouper is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bruinvlek-tandbaars sourced
English name
Brownspotted grouper verified
Scientific name
Epinephelus chlorostigma
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Brownspotted grouper; Brown-spotted reef-cod; Brownspotted rockcod; Grouper verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
80.0 verified
Average length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
4.0 verified
Max depth (m)
300.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
29.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Epinephelus

More from the family Serranidae

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