Home · Serranidae · Brown rock-cod
Brown rock-cod (Epinephelus multinotatus) — Serranidae

Brown rock-cod

Epinephelus multinotatus
Family: Serranidae
LC · Least Concern

The Brown rock-cod (Epinephelus multinotatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–110.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The brown-spotted grouper is a large grouper from the western Indian Ocean. The species grows to about 100 cm and has a robust, brownish-grey body studded with white and dark spots. As a reef predator it shelters around rocky and coral reefs and hunts fish, crustaceans and squid. It is a valued commercial food fish, but is under pressure from fishing. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brown rock-cod?

The Brown rock-cod has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Brown rock-cod live?

The Brown rock-cod lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Brown rock-cod get?

The Brown rock-cod grows to a maximum of about 100 cm. On average the species is around 75 cm.

Is the Brown rock-cod dangerous to humans?

No, the Brown rock-cod is harmless to humans.

Is the Brown rock-cod edible?

Yes, the Brown rock-cod 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
Witvlek-tandbaars verified
English name
Brown rock-cod verified
Scientific name
Epinephelus multinotatus
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Rankin cod; Rankin's cod; Rankin's rock cod; Rockcod; Whiteblotched grouper verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 verified
Average length (cm)
75.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Handlijnen sourced
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

Download Fin's Fish Guide

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

Get the beta →