Epinephelus lanceolatus

(Bloch, 1790)

Vernacular names
English : Giant grouper
French : Mérou géant

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Perciformes
Family : Serranidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
The largest bony fish to live around coral reefs, grows to 2,70 m in length for a weight of 400 kg. Coloration dark brown to yellow brown with dark mottling. Fins yellowish with dark dots. Juveniles yellow with black bands.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from the Red Sea and South Africa to Pitcairn and Hawaii islands, north to south Japan, south to north Australia. Lives in lagoons, seaward rocky and coral reefs, to 100 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : DATA DEFICIENT
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species has a large range but is highly valued by fisheries and sometimes captured for the trade too. Steep declines occur locally.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

Back to “Groupers, anthias and relatives” page