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Brownback cod (Epinephelus retouti) — Serranidae

Brownback cod

Epinephelus retouti
Family: Serranidae
LC · Least Concern

The Brownback cod (Epinephelus retouti) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–220.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The red-tipped grouper is a grouper from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 50 cm and has a brownish-red body with fine paler spots and red tips on the dorsal and tail fins. As a reef predator it lives around rocky reefs and steep slopes, between about 20 and 220 metres depth, and hunts small fish and crustaceans. It is a valued food fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brownback cod?

The Brownback cod has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Brownback cod live?

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

How big does the Brownback cod get?

The Brownback cod grows to a maximum of about 50 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Brownback cod dangerous to humans?

No, the Brownback cod is harmless to humans.

Is the Brownback cod edible?

Yes, the Brownback cod is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Roodvlek-tandbaars verified
English name
Brownback cod verified
Scientific name
Epinephelus retouti
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Brownback grouper; Grouper; Redtip grouper; Red-tipped grouper verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50.0 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
220.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Handlijnen sourced
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

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