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Bridled grouper (Epinephelus heniochus) — Serranidae

Bridled grouper

Epinephelus heniochus
Family: Serranidae

The Bridled grouper (Epinephelus heniochus) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
40.0–235.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Bridled grouper is a grouper (Epinephelidae) from reef and rocky water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a robust, stocky body with a large mouth. As a bottom-oriented ambush hunter it shelters by rocks, caves and coral and engulfs fish and crustaceans with a sudden, suction gulp. Many groupers change sex during their lives. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bridled grouper?

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

Where does the Bridled grouper live?

The Bridled grouper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and others

How big does the Bridled grouper get?

The Bridled grouper grows to a maximum of about 35 cm.

Is the Bridled grouper dangerous to humans?

No, the Bridled 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 Bridled grouper edible?

Yes, the Bridled grouper is commonly eaten.

More photos

Bridled grouper (Epinephelus heniochus) — Serranidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Bridled grouper (Epinephelus heniochus) — Serranidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Bridled grouper (Epinephelus heniochus) — Serranidae — 4
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Bridled grouper (Epinephelus heniochus) — Serranidae — 5
Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bridled grouper sourced
Scientific name
Epinephelus heniochus
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Bridled grouper; Coral cod; Flowery cod; Grouper; Reef cod; Rockcod; Seabass; Threeline rockcod; Three-lined rock cod verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35.0 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)
40.0 verified
Max depth (m)
235.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines 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

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Fin

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