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Longspine grouper (Epinephelus longispinis) — Serranidae

Longspine grouper

Epinephelus longispinis
Family: Serranidae

The Longspine grouper (Epinephelus longispinis) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 55 cm.

Length
55 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–70.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Comoros, Mayotte, India and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Longspine grouper is a grouper (Epinephelidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 55 cm and has a robust, stocky body with a large mouth. The brown body is scattered with dark blotches and streaks. As a bottom-oriented ambush predator it shelters in crevices, caves and wrecks of coral and rocky reefs and engulfs fish and crustaceans. Many groupers change sex. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Longspine grouper?

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

Where does the Longspine grouper live?

The Longspine grouper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Comoros, Mayotte, India and others

How big does the Longspine grouper get?

The Longspine grouper grows to a maximum of about 55 cm.

Is the Longspine grouper dangerous to humans?

No, the Longspine 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.

Is the Longspine grouper edible?

Yes, the Longspine grouper is commonly eaten.

More photos

Longspine grouper (Epinephelus longispinis) — Serranidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Evano Hugues (CC BY 4.0)
Longspine grouper (Epinephelus longispinis) — Serranidae — 3
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Longspine grouper (Epinephelus longispinis) — Serranidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Xavier Rufray, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Longspine grouper (Epinephelus longispinis) — Serranidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) felicitygrundlingh, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Longspine grouper sourced
Scientific name
Epinephelus longispinis
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Longspine grouper; Long-spine rock cod; Spotted grouper; Streakyspot grouper; Streakyspot rockcod verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
55.0 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)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
70.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Comoros, Mayotte, India and others 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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

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Fin

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