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Duskytail grouper (Epinephelus bleekeri) — Serranidae

Duskytail grouper

Epinephelus bleekeri
Family: Serranidae

The Duskytail grouper (Epinephelus bleekeri) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 76 cm.

Length
76 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
30.0–105.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Bahrain, Brunei Darsm, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, China and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Duskytail grouper is a grouper (Epinephelidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 76 cm and has a robust, stocky body with a large mouth. The body is densely scattered with orange-yellow to brown spots. 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 Duskytail grouper?

The Duskytail grouper has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Duskytail grouper live?

The Duskytail grouper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Australia, Bahrain, Brunei Darsm, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, China and others

How big does the Duskytail grouper get?

The Duskytail grouper grows to a maximum of about 76 cm.

Is the Duskytail grouper dangerous to humans?

No, the Duskytail 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 Duskytail grouper edible?

Yes, the Duskytail grouper is commonly eaten.

More photos

Duskytail grouper (Epinephelus bleekeri) — Serranidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Duskytail grouper (Epinephelus bleekeri) — Serranidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Duskytail grouper (Epinephelus bleekeri) — Serranidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) R Lai, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Duskytail grouper (Epinephelus bleekeri) — Serranidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Coastal Impact, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Duskytail grouper sourced
Scientific name
Epinephelus bleekeri
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Bleeker's grouper; Bleekeri's grouper; Bleeker's rock cod; Grouper; Reef cod; Seabass verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
76.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
30.0 verified
Max depth (m)
105.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Bahrain, Brunei Darsm, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, China 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
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. 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

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Fin

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