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Smallscale grouper (Epinephelus polylepis) — Serranidae

Smallscale grouper

Epinephelus polylepis
Family: Serranidae

The Smallscale grouper (Epinephelus polylepis) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 61 cm.

Length
61 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–155.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The smallscale grouper is a grouper (Epinephelidae) from coastal and slope waters of the northern Indian Ocean. The species grows to about 61 cm and has a robust, brown-grey body with fine, small scales. As a bottom-oriented ambush predator it lives around reefs and on sand and mud bottoms between about ten and one hundred and fifty metres and engulfs fish and crustaceans. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Smallscale grouper?

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

Where does the Smallscale grouper live?

The Smallscale grouper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Smallscale grouper get?

The Smallscale grouper grows to a maximum of about 61 cm.

Is the Smallscale grouper dangerous to humans?

No, the Smallscale grouper is harmless to humans.

Is the Smallscale grouper edible?

Yes, the Smallscale grouper is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kleinschub-tandbaars sourced
English name
Smallscale grouper sourced
Scientific name
Epinephelus polylepis
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Smallscaled grouper verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
61.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
155.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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