Home · Serranidae · Indistinct grouper
Indistinct grouper (Epinephelus indistinctus) — Serranidae

Indistinct grouper

Epinephelus indistinctus
Family: Serranidae

The Indistinct grouper (Epinephelus indistinctus) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 80 cm.

Length
80 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
70.0–80.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Oman, Somalia, Yemen, Socotra Arch.

Want the complete picture on the Indistinct grouper?

Get the app

Description

The Indistinct grouper is a grouper (Epinephelidae) from reef water of the western Indian Ocean. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a robust, plain brown with faint markings body with a large mouth. As a bottom-oriented ambush hunter it shelters among rocks and coral and engulfs fish and crustaceans with a sudden suction strike. Like many groupers a female changes sex on loss of the male. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Indistinct grouper?

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

Where does the Indistinct grouper live?

The Indistinct grouper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Oman, Somalia, Yemen, Socotra Arch.

How big does the Indistinct grouper get?

The Indistinct grouper grows to a maximum of about 80 cm.

Is the Indistinct grouper dangerous to humans?

No, the Indistinct 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.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Indistinct grouper?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Indistinct grouper is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Indistinct grouper sourced
Scientific name
Epinephelus indistinctus
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Somali grouper verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
80.0 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)
70.0 verified
Max depth (m)
80.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Oman, Somalia, Yemen, Socotra Arch. 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

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

Same genus Epinephelus

More from the family Serranidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Indistinct grouper?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Indistinct grouper is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Indistinct grouper? Get the app