Brownspotted grouper
📖 Overview
Found over a wide range of habitats like seagrass beds and outer reef slopes , also on mud bottoms. Solitary . Feed on small fishes and crustaceans (mainly stomatopods and crabs). Sexual transition from female to male occurs between 35-45 cm, but not all females change sex. Mature individuals form spawning aggregations . E. chlorostigma is closely related and very similar to E. polylepis and E. gabriellae which seem to replace it in the northwestern Indian Ocean. Solitary .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16 - 18; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Live color whitish, with small dark brown spots on head, body, and fins except ventrally on head, thorax, and lower abdomen. Can assume a transient color phase of 3-4 rows of very large round dark spots on top of the small-spot pattern. 96-125 scales in longitudinal series. Pyloric caeca 26-52 ; characterized further by having ctenoid body scales, except cycloid scales on nape, thorax, parts of ventral abdomen; body with auxiliary scales; greatest depth of body 2.8-3.3 in SL; truncate to slightly emarginate caudal fin; pelvic fins 1.7-2.4 in head length ; interorbital slightly convex; preopercle angle rounded, 4-7 enlarged serrae at angle below a slight notch; upper edge of operculum straight; posterior nostril not noticeably larger than anterior nostril; maxilla reaches about to vertical at rear edge of eye; scaly maxilla, low step on posterior part of ventral edge; 2-4 rows of teeth in midlateral part of lower jaw, inner ones about twice the size of outer teeth .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Brownspotted grouper is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Brownspotted grouper is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Sex change occurs at length of 46.4 cm TL and 3 years of age . Also Ref. 6976.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 4 - 300 m . Tropical; 37°N - 34°S, 28°E - 169°W Indian Ocean: restricted.
🌿 Ecology
small fishes and crustaceans (mainly stomatopods and crabs)
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Brownspotted grouper is an edible species."
- 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
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.6 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 136 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Brownspotted grouper has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epinephelus chlorostigmata | Valenciennes | 1828 | Synonym |
| Epinephelus geoffroyi | Klunzinger | 1870 | Synonym |
| Epinephelus japonicus | Temminck & Schlegel | 1843 | Synonym |
| Epinephelus tankahkeei | Wu, Qu, Lin, Tang & Ding | 2020 | Synonym |
| Epinephilus chlorostigma | Valenciennes | 1828 | Synonym |
| Serranus areolatus japonicus | Temminck & Schlegel | 1842 | Synonym |
| Serranus assabensis | Giglioli | 1889 | Synonym |
| Serranus celebicus multipunctatus | Kossmann & Räuber | 1877 | Synonym |
| Serranus chlorostigma | Valenciennes | 1828 | Synonym |
| Serranus geoffroyi | Klunzinger | 1870 | Synonym |
| Serranus reevesii | Richardson | 1846 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 10 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Brownspotted grouper ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.