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Blue and yellow grouper (Epinephelus flavocaeruleus) — Serranidae

Blue and yellow grouper

Epinephelus flavocaeruleus
Family: Serranidae

The Blue and yellow grouper (Epinephelus flavocaeruleus) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 90 cm.

Length
90 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–150.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Sri Lanka, Comoros, Mayotte, Djibouti, India, Indonesia and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Blue and yellow grouper is a grouper (Epinephelidae) from the western Indian Ocean. The species grows to about 90 cm and has a robust, stocky body with a large mouth. Adults are dark blue with conspicuously yellow fins; juveniles are brighter yellow and blue. 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 Blue and yellow grouper?

The Blue and yellow grouper has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly blue.

Where does the Blue and yellow grouper live?

The Blue and yellow grouper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Africa: Sri Lanka, Comoros, Mayotte, Djibouti, India, Indonesia and others

How big does the Blue and yellow grouper get?

The Blue and yellow grouper grows to a maximum of about 90 cm. On average the species is around 45 cm.

Is the Blue and yellow grouper dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue and yellow grouper is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Blue and yellow grouper edible?

Yes, the Blue and yellow grouper is commonly eaten.

More photos

Blue and yellow grouper (Epinephelus flavocaeruleus) — Serranidae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Blue and yellow grouper (Epinephelus flavocaeruleus) — Serranidae — 3
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Blue and yellow grouper (Epinephelus flavocaeruleus) — Serranidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Blue and yellow grouper (Epinephelus flavocaeruleus) — Serranidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Georgina Jones, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Blue and yellow grouper sourced
Scientific name
Epinephelus flavocaeruleus
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Blue and yellow grouper; Blue and yellow reef cod; Blue-and-yellow grouper; Yellowfin grouper; Yellowfinned grouper; Yellowtail reefcod; Yellowtail rockcod verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
90.0 verified
Average length (cm)
45.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
150.0 verified
Natural range
Africa: Sri Lanka, Comoros, Mayotte, Djibouti, India, Indonesia and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates 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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. 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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