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Oval grouper (Triso dermopterus) — Serranidae

Oval grouper

Triso dermopterus
Family: Serranidae

The Oval grouper (Triso dermopterus) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 68 cm.

Length
68 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
22.0–103.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea (North) and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The oval grouper is a grouper (Epinephelidae) from deeper reef and rocky water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 50 cm and has a deep, stocky, dark-brown to grey-black body with a large mouth. As a bottom-oriented ambush hunter it shelters by rocks, caves and wrecks and seizes fish and crustaceans with a sudden, suction gulp. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Oval grouper?

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

Where does the Oval grouper live?

The Oval grouper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea (North) and others

How big does the Oval grouper get?

The Oval grouper grows to a maximum of about 68 cm.

Is the Oval grouper dangerous to humans?

No, the Oval 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 Oval grouper edible?

Yes, the Oval grouper is commonly eaten.

More photos

Oval grouper (Triso dermopterus) — Serranidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Morgan Grant, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Oval grouper (Triso dermopterus) — Serranidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) david_moore, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Oval grouper (Triso dermopterus) — Serranidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Insect, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Oval grouper (Triso dermopterus) — Serranidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Nathan Cook, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Oval grouper sourced
Scientific name
Triso dermopterus
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Melon-seed grouper; Oval cod; Oval grouper; Blackfin grouper; Oval rockcod; Sooty cod; Woore's rockcod verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
68.0 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)
22.0 verified
Max depth (m)
103.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea (North) and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
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

More from the family Serranidae

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