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Foursaddle grouper (Epinephelus spilotoceps) — Serranidae

Foursaddle grouper

Epinephelus spilotoceps
Family: Serranidae

The Foursaddle grouper (Epinephelus spilotoceps) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 48 cm.

Length
47.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Foursaddle grouper is a grouper (Epinephelidae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 47 cm and has a robust, stocky body with a large mouth. The body bears a honeycomb pattern of dark blotches and a few saddle marks on the back. 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 Foursaddle grouper?

The Foursaddle grouper has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Foursaddle grouper live?

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

How big does the Foursaddle grouper get?

The Foursaddle grouper grows to a maximum of about 48 cm.

Is the Foursaddle grouper dangerous to humans?

No, the Foursaddle grouper is harmless to humans.

Is the Foursaddle grouper edible?

Yes, the Foursaddle grouper is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vierzadel-tandbaars sourced
English name
Foursaddle grouper sourced
Scientific name
Epinephelus spilotoceps
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Foursaddle grouper; Four-saddle grouper; Four-saddle rockcod verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
47.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 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

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