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🌊 Marine Data Deficient 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Yellow grouper

Epinephelus awoara Temminck & Schlegel, 1842
Max Length
60 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.6
Depth
10–50 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
49.00/100
Typical Length
30 cm
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Occurs in rocky areas as well as on sandy-mud bottoms. Juveniles are common in tide pools. In captivity, the species is aggressive, chasing and biting other species, especially members of its own species. Protogynous hermaphrodite . Artificial fertilization of eggs was done and the longest survival time for the larvae was 15 days . In Hong Kong live fish markets .

Scientific Name
Epinephelus awoara
Authority
Temminck & Schlegel, 1842
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
DD
Max Length
60 cm
Depth Range
10–50 m
Trophic Level
3.6
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
49.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Distinguished by the following characteristics: head and body pale greyish brown dorsally, usually golden yellow ventrally; 4 broad dark bars on the dorsal part of the body, one on caudal peduncle and another often visible on nape; numerous small yellow spots on head and body; body and median fins with small greyish white spots; soft dorsal and caudal fins and sometimes the anal fin, with prominent yellow margin; dusky yellow paired fins; yellow mustache in the maxillary groove; body depth 2.7-3.3 times in SL; head length 2.3-2.6 times in SL; convex interorbital area; strongly convex dorsal head profile; subangular preopercle, 2-5 strong spines at the angle; upper edge of operculum straight, uppermost spine rudimentary; maxilla reaches about to vertical at rear edge of eye; 2 rows of small, subequal teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw; caudal fin convex; lateral body scales distinctly ctenoid, with auxiliary scales in fish larger than 30 cm SL; pyloric caeca 12, in 3 bundles .: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Yellow grouper is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring-summer
Spawn Location
Pelagic
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 10 - 50 m . Tropical; 39°N - 12°N, 110°E - 143°E Northwest Pacific: Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China, Viet Nam, and islands in the South China Sea.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
3.6±0.55

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01096 × L3.04 (TL)
Max TL
60cm
Dorsal Spines
11
Dorsal Rays
16
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
8

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Data Deficient
Assessment Date
2016

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
49.00/100
Moderate-High vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.6
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Temminck & Schlegel, 1842

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Yellow grouper is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

⚡ Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 18.4 g
Omega-3 (total) 113 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Yellow grouper has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Banded Grouper · yellow grouper
🌍CES kanic awoara
🇯🇵Japanese Aohata · アオハタ
🇰🇷Korean To-do-ba-ri · 도도바리
🇵🇹Portuguese Garoupa-asiática
🇷🇺Russian Групер-авоара
🇪🇸Spanish Mero Convicto
🌍THA Pla Kao-bang-chare
🌍VIE Ca Sing Den
🇨🇳Chinese Qing Ban · Wong-dang · Wong-paan · 中溝 · 白馬罔仔 · 石斑 · 過魚 · 青石斑魚 · 黃丁斑 · 黃釘

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Epinelhelus awoara Temminck & Schlegel 1842 Synonym
Epinephelus awaora Temminck & Schlegel 1842 Synonym
Serranus awoara Temminck & Schlegel 1842 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 5 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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