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Grouper (Hyporthodus flavolimbatus) — Serranidae

Grouper

Hyporthodus flavolimbatus
Family: Serranidae
VU · Vulnerable

The Grouper (Hyporthodus flavolimbatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 115 cm.

Length
115 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
90–360 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic; deeper continental shelf and slope.
Edibility
Highly prized

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Description

The yellowedge grouper is a grouper (Serranidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species has a robust, grey-brown body with yellow-edged fins, from which it gets its name. It lives solitary on rocky and sand-mud bottoms of the deeper continental shelf and upper slope. As a predator it takes fishes, crustaceans and squid. Like many groupers it is protogynous. It is a valued food fish but vulnerable to overfishing. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Grouper?

The Grouper has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Yellow-bordered fins; protogynous deep-water grouper, valued but vulnerable to overfishing.

Where does the Grouper live?

The Grouper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Atlantic; deeper continental shelf and slope.

How big does the Grouper get?

The Grouper grows to a maximum of about 115 cm. On average the species is around 50 cm.

Is the Grouper dangerous to humans?

No, the Grouper is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Grouper edible?

Yes, the Grouper is a highly prized food fish.

More photos

Grouper (Hyporthodus flavolimbatus) — Serranidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) gerrityj005, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Grouper (Hyporthodus flavolimbatus) — Serranidae — 3
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Grouper (Hyporthodus flavolimbatus) — Serranidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Ryan Watson, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Grouper (Hyporthodus flavolimbatus) — Serranidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) chloelylaperez, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Grouper verified
Scientific name
Hyporthodus flavolimbatus
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Grouper; Poey's grouper; White grouper; Yellowedge Grouper; Yellowfin grouper; Yellowfinned grouper verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
115 verified
Average length (cm)
50 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Straight
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
90 verified
Max depth (m)
360 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic; deeper continental shelf and slope.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes, crustaceans and squid sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Max. age (years)
35 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Yellow-bordered fins; protogynous deep-water grouper, valued but vulnerable to overfishing. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Hyporthodus

More from the family Serranidae

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