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Humpback grouper (Cromileptes altivelis) — Serranidae

Humpback grouper

Cromileptes altivelis
Family: Serranidae

The Humpback grouper (Cromileptes altivelis) is a fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 70 cm.

Length
70 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; coral-rich and turbid reef areas.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The humpback grouper is a grouper (Epinephelidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a distinctive body with a concave head profile and a humped back, and is white to greyish with numerous round black spots, to which the name refers. It inhabits coral-rich and turbid reef areas, lagoons and estuaries. As an ambush hunter it feeds on small fishes and crustaceans. Juveniles are popular in the aquarium hobby and the species is a valued food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Humpback grouper?

The Humpback grouper is mainly white and shows a spots pattern. Concave head profile and humped back; white with round black spots; juveniles popular in the aquarium.

Where does the Humpback grouper live?

The Humpback grouper is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; coral-rich and turbid reef areas.

How big does the Humpback grouper get?

The Humpback grouper grows to a maximum of about 70 cm.

Is the Humpback grouper dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Humpback grouper edible?

Yes, the Humpback grouper is commonly eaten.

More photos

Humpback grouper (Cromileptes altivelis) — Serranidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Udo Schröter (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Humpback grouper (Cromileptes altivelis) — Serranidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Steve Childs (CC BY 2.0)
Humpback grouper (Cromileptes altivelis) — Serranidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Shankar Meyer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Humpback grouper (Cromileptes altivelis) — Serranidae — 5
momaz (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
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All data

Identification

English name
Humpback grouper sourced
Scientific name
Cromileptes altivelis
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Barramundi cod; Baramundi cod; Highfinned grouper; High-finned grouper; Humpback rockcod; Panther grouper; Pantherfish; Polka-dot grouper; Barramundi rock-cod; Barrimundi cod; Barrmundi cod; Bleeker's group

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
70.0 sourced
Dominant colour
White 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

Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; coral-rich and turbid reef areas. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Concave head profile and humped back; white with round black spots; juveniles popular in the aquarium. 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
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

More from the family Serranidae

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