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Hexagon grouper (Epinephelus hexagonatus) — Serranidae

Hexagon grouper

Epinephelus hexagonatus
Family: Serranidae
LC · Least Concern

The Hexagon grouper (Epinephelus hexagonatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 28 cm.

Length
27.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Range
Indo-West Pacific; exposed outer reef areas.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The starspotted grouper is a grouper (Epinephelidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a robust body densely covered with dark, angular spots in a honeycomb pattern, with a few pale saddle blotches on the back. It is common in exposed outer-reef areas in relatively shallow water, well camouflaged and solitary. As an ambush hunter it takes fishes and crustaceans. It is a food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hexagon grouper?

The Hexagon grouper has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Honeycomb pattern of angular dark blotches; camouflaged, solitary reef ambush predator.

Where does the Hexagon grouper live?

The Hexagon grouper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; exposed outer reef areas.

How big does the Hexagon grouper get?

The Hexagon grouper grows to a maximum of about 28 cm.

Is the Hexagon grouper dangerous to humans?

The Hexagon grouper is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Hexagon grouper edible?

Yes, the Hexagon grouper is commonly eaten.

More photos

Hexagon grouper (Epinephelus hexagonatus) — Serranidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) mract, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Hexagon grouper (Epinephelus hexagonatus) — Serranidae — 3
駿 (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Hexagon grouper (Epinephelus hexagonatus) — Serranidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) an2mc, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Hexagon grouper (Epinephelus hexagonatus) — Serranidae — 5
Jay Paroline (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Hexagon grouper verified
Scientific name
Epinephelus hexagonatus
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Hexagon grouper; Hexagon rockcod; Starspotted grouper; Wirenetting cod; Honeycomb reefcod; Orange sea bass; Sharpspotted grouper; Star-spotted grouper; White specked rockcod; White-specked grouper; White-speckled grouper; Wirenet rockcod verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
27.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots 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
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; exposed outer reef areas. 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
Honeycomb pattern of angular dark blotches; camouflaged, solitary reef ambush predator. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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
Venomous / poisonous 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 Epinephelus

More from the family Serranidae

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