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Surge grouper (Epinephelus socialis) — Serranidae

Surge grouper

Epinephelus socialis
Family: Serranidae
LC · Least Concern

The Surge grouper (Epinephelus socialis) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 52 cm.

Length
52 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–10.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The surge grouper is a grouper from the Indo-Pacific, mainly on remote islands. The species grows to about 52 cm and has a stocky, greyish-brown body with fine paler spots and faint bars. As a reef predator it lives in very shallow, turbulent water on reef flats and in the surge zone and hunts small fish and crustaceans. It is a local food fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Surge grouper?

The Surge grouper has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Surge grouper live?

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

How big does the Surge grouper get?

The Surge grouper grows to a maximum of about 52 cm.

Is the Surge grouper dangerous to humans?

No, the Surge grouper is harmless to humans.

Is the Surge grouper edible?

Yes, the Surge grouper is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Branding-tandbaars verified
English name
Surge grouper verified
Scientific name
Epinephelus socialis
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Surge grouper verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
52.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown 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)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
10.0 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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