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Foursaddle grouper (Epinephelus spilotoceps) — Serranidae

Foursaddle grouper

Epinephelus spilotoceps
Family: Serranidae

The Foursaddle grouper (Epinephelus spilotoceps) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 48 cm.

Length
47.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., Cocos Is. (Keel) and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Foursaddle grouper is a grouper (Epinephelidae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 47 cm and has a robust, stocky body with a large mouth. The body bears a honeycomb pattern of dark blotches and a few saddle marks on the back. As a bottom-oriented ambush predator it shelters in crevices, caves and wrecks of coral and rocky reefs and engulfs fish and crustaceans. Many groupers change sex. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Foursaddle grouper?

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

Where does the Foursaddle grouper live?

The Foursaddle grouper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., Cocos Is. (Keel) and others

How big does the Foursaddle grouper get?

The Foursaddle grouper grows to a maximum of about 48 cm.

Is the Foursaddle grouper dangerous to humans?

No, the Foursaddle grouper is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Foursaddle grouper edible?

Yes, the Foursaddle grouper is commonly eaten.

More photos

Foursaddle grouper (Epinephelus spilotoceps) — Serranidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Julien Bidet for MDC Seamarc Maldives (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Foursaddle grouper (Epinephelus spilotoceps) — Serranidae — 3
Hubert Lagrange (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Foursaddle grouper (Epinephelus spilotoceps) — Serranidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) mbp349, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Foursaddle grouper (Epinephelus spilotoceps) — Serranidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Sylvain Le Bris, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Foursaddle grouper sourced
Scientific name
Epinephelus spilotoceps
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Foursaddle grouper; Four-saddle grouper; Four-saddle rockcod; Spotty cod verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
47.5 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)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., Cocos Is. (Keel) and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

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Fin

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