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Grouper (Hyporthodus acanthistius) — Serranidae

Grouper

Hyporthodus acanthistius
Family: Serranidae
VU · Vulnerable

The Grouper (Hyporthodus acanthistius) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
46.0–90.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; Gulf of California and reefs.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Gulf coney is a grouper (Serranidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species has a robust, reddish body with sturdy dorsal fin spines. It is common in the Gulf of California and occurs further on isolated reefs and sand-rock transitions, often in deeper water. As a predator it takes fishes and crustaceans. Like many groupers it is protogynous: females can change into males. It is a valued food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Grouper?

The Grouper has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern. Reddish grouper with stout dorsal fin spines; protogynous, numerous in the Gulf of California.

Where does the Grouper live?

The Grouper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific; Gulf of California and reefs.

How big does the Grouper get?

The Grouper grows to a maximum of about 100 cm.

Is the Grouper dangerous to humans?

No, the Grouper is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Grouper edible?

Yes, the Grouper is commonly eaten.

More photos

Grouper (Hyporthodus acanthistius) — Serranidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — threeagooutdoors from iNaturalist (CC BY 4.0)
Grouper (Hyporthodus acanthistius) — Serranidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Juan A. Malo de Molina (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Grouper (Hyporthodus acanthistius) — Serranidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) adriench, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Grouper (Hyporthodus acanthistius) — Serranidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Daniel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Grouper verified
Scientific name
Hyporthodus acanthistius
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Gulf coney; Rooster hind verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
46.0 verified
Max depth (m)
90.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; Gulf of California and reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary 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
Special features
Reddish grouper with stout dorsal fin spines; protogynous, numerous in the Gulf of California. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Hyporthodus

More from the family Serranidae

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