Home · Serranidae · Brown grouper
Brown grouper (Epinephelus morio) — Serranidae

Brown grouper

Epinephelus morio
Family: Serranidae
VU · Vulnerable

The Brown grouper (Epinephelus morio) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 125 cm.

Length
125 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–330.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The red grouper is a sea bass of the family Serranidae from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species grows to about 1 m and has a robust, red-brown body that can pale and darken. Adults live mainly over rocky and muddy bottoms and are less common around coral reefs; they often rest on the bottom and are usually taken at depths of 70-330 m. Juveniles occur in shallow water. It excavates pits in the bottom and hunts fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods. Owing to overfishing the species is considered vulnerable. It is a sought-after food fish and harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brown grouper?

The Brown grouper has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Brown grouper live?

The Brown grouper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Brown grouper get?

The Brown grouper grows to a maximum of about 125 cm. On average the species is around 50 cm.

Is the Brown grouper dangerous to humans?

No, the Brown grouper is harmless to humans.

Is the Brown grouper edible?

Yes, the Brown grouper is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Rode tandbaars sourced
English name
Brown grouper verified
Scientific name
Epinephelus morio
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Brown grouper; Cherna de vivero; Deer grouper; Grouper verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
125.0 verified
Average length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight 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
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
330.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
25.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Epinephelus

More from the family Serranidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →