Orange-spotted grouper
📖 Overview
Inhabit turbid coastal reefs and are often found in brackish water over mud and rubble . Solitary (Ref 90102). Juveniles are common in shallow waters of estuaries over sand, mud and gravel and among mangroves . Feed on small fishes, shrimps, and crabs. Probably spawn during restricted periods and form aggregations when doing so . Females mature at 25 to 30 cm (2 to 3 years old), and sexual transition occurs at 55 to 75 cm . Eggs and early larvae are probably pelagic . Has been tested in several countries as a potential species for mariculture . Caught with hook-and-line, traps, trawls, and lift nets. Common and expensive in markets of the region; sold fresh and kept alive at restaurants in Asian countries (e.g. Hong Kong and Taiwan Province of China) .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. This species is distinguished by the following characters: elongated body with greatest body depth at 2.9-3.7 in SL (for specimens 10-78 cm SL); head length 2.3-2.6 in SL. interorbital width 5.0-6.2 in HL; preopercle with enlarged serrae at angle and a broad shallow notch just above angle; upper edge of operculum straight or somewhat convex; maxilla reaches to or slightly past a vertical at rear edge of eye; upper jaw length 17-20% of SL; midlateral part of lower jaw with 2-3 rows of subequal teeth; gill rakers of first gill arch 8-10 + 14-17; pyloric caeca 50-60; lateral body scales rough, with minute auxiliary scales (body scales ctenoid except for nape, back, thorax, abdomen and above anal-fin base with cycloid scales); lateral-line scales 58-65; lateral-line tubes of anterior scales branched in adults. Colour: head and body tan dorsally, shading to whitish ventrally; numerous small brownish orange or reddish brown spots on head, body, and median fins; body with 5 faint, irregular, oblique, dark bars which bifurcate ventrally (irregular H-shaped bars); back with 3-4 blackish saddles; orange spots become poorly defined and darker with growth .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Orange-spotted grouper is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Orange-spotted grouper is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Pelagic spawner .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 100 m . Subtropical; 37°N - 34°S, 28°E - 180°E West Pacific: Red Sea south to at least Durban, South Africa and eastward to Palau and Fiji, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the Arafura Sea (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
small fishes, shrimps, and crabs
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Orange-spotted 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 | 19.7 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 187 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Orange-spotted grouper has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Brown-spotted Grouper · Brown-spotted Rockcod · Estuary Cod · Estuary Rock Cod · Gold Spotted Rock Cod · Greasy Cod · North-west Groper · Orange Spotted Cod · Orange-spotted Cod · Orange-spotted grouper · Orangespotted Grouper · Rockcod · Spotted Cod · Spotted River Cod |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | Hamoor · Hamour · هامور برتقالي النقاط |
| 🌍CES | kanic oranžovoskvrnný |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Orangeplettet havaborre |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | oranssitäplämeriahven |
| 🇫🇷French | Loche à taches oranges · Mérou taches orange, Mérou à taches oranges · Mérou taches oranges |
| 🌍IND | Kerapu lumpur |
| 🇮🇹Italian | cernia a macchie arancioni |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Chairomaruhata · チャイロマルハタ |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Garoupa-de-pintas-laranja |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Mero Moteado · Mero de pintas naranjas |
| 🌍TGL | Alatan · Kaltang · Kulapo · Lapu-lapung lupot · Lubo · Sigapo |
| 🌍THA | ปลากะรังจุดน้ำตาล · ปลาเก๋าดอกแดง |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 點帶石斑魚 |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 30 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet — be the first to log one!
View all observations for Orange-spotted 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.