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Hawaiian grouper (Hyporthodus quernus) — Serranidae

Hawaiian grouper

Hyporthodus quernus
Family: Serranidae
LC · Least Concern

The Hawaiian grouper (Hyporthodus quernus) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 122 cm.

Length
122 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–380.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Hawaiian grouper is a large grouper (Epinephelidae) from deeper reef water around Hawaii in the central Pacific. The species grows to about 1 metre and has a robust, dark-brown body with fine pale spots and a large mouth. As a bottom-oriented ambush hunter it shelters among deeper rocks and coral and engulfs fish, crustaceans and squid with a sudden suction strike. It is a valued, slow-growing food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hawaiian grouper?

The Hawaiian grouper has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Hawaiian grouper live?

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

How big does the Hawaiian grouper get?

The Hawaiian grouper grows to a maximum of about 122 cm.

Is the Hawaiian grouper dangerous to humans?

No, the Hawaiian grouper is harmless to humans.

Is the Hawaiian grouper edible?

Yes, the Hawaiian grouper is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Hawaiiaanse tandbaars sourced
English name
Hawaiian grouper sourced
Scientific name
Hyporthodus quernus
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Hawaiian black grouper; Hawaiian grouper; Hawaiian sea bass; Sea bass verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
122.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
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)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
380.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 Hyporthodus

More from the family Serranidae

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