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Black-dotted grouper (Epinephelus stictus) — Serranidae

Black-dotted grouper

Epinephelus stictus
Family: Serranidae

The Black-dotted grouper (Epinephelus stictus) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 33 cm.

Length
33 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
60.0–142.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Black-dotted grouper is a grouper (Epinephelidae) from reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a robust, light-brown with small black spots body with a large mouth. As a bottom-oriented ambush hunter it shelters among rocks and coral and engulfs fish and crustaceans with a sudden suction strike. Like many groupers a female changes sex on loss of the male. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black-dotted grouper?

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

Where does the Black-dotted grouper live?

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

How big does the Black-dotted grouper get?

The Black-dotted grouper grows to a maximum of about 33 cm.

Is the Black-dotted grouper dangerous to humans?

No, the Black-dotted grouper is harmless to humans.

Is the Black-dotted grouper edible?

Yes, the Black-dotted grouper is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartstip-tandbaars sourced
English name
Black-dotted grouper sourced
Scientific name
Epinephelus stictus
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Black-dotted grouper; Six-banded grouper verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
60.0 verified
Max depth (m)
142.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 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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