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Black-dotted cod (Epinephelus corallicola) — Serranidae

Black-dotted cod

Epinephelus corallicola
Family: Serranidae
LC · Least Concern

The Black-dotted cod (Epinephelus corallicola) is a brackish-water fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 49 cm.

Length
49 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
1.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Pacific; shallow silty coastal reefs.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The coral grouper is a grouper (Epinephelidae) from the western Pacific. The species has a robust, pale-grey body densely covered with small dark spots and a few larger dark blotches on the back. It is common on shallow, silty coastal reefs and sometimes occurs in estuaries. As an ambush hunter it takes fishes and crustaceans. It is a food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black-dotted cod?

The Black-dotted cod has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. Densely scattered with small dark spots; protogynous ambush predator of silty coastal reefs.

Where does the Black-dotted cod live?

The Black-dotted cod lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Pacific; shallow silty coastal reefs.

How big does the Black-dotted cod get?

The Black-dotted cod grows to a maximum of about 49 cm.

Is the Black-dotted cod dangerous to humans?

No, the Black-dotted cod is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Black-dotted cod edible?

Yes, the Black-dotted cod is commonly eaten.

More photos

Black-dotted cod (Epinephelus corallicola) — Serranidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Black-dotted cod (Epinephelus corallicola) — Serranidae — 3
Kenneth Foster (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF
Black-dotted cod (Epinephelus corallicola) — Serranidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Rickard Zerpe (CC BY 2.0)
Black-dotted cod (Epinephelus corallicola) — Serranidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) portioid, some rights reserved (CC BY))
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All data

Identification

English name
Black-dotted cod verified
Scientific name
Epinephelus corallicola
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Coral cod; Coral grouper; Coral rockcod; Coral rock-cod; Coral rockcode; Coral trout; Duskyfin grouper; Grouper; Reef cod; Seabass verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
49.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded 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
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Western Pacific; shallow silty coastal reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Densely scattered with small dark spots; protogynous ambush predator of silty coastal reefs. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

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 Epinephelus

More from the family Serranidae

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