Rock grouper
📖 Overview
Inhabits shallow rocky areas and feeds on small fishes, prawns, crabs, worms, and gastropods . An excellent food fish and brings a good price. Solitary, found in rocky bottoms in 15-30 m (Ref 90102).
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 17; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 8. Distinguished by having grey brown color shading to whitish, yellowish or pink ventrally; head and body with numerous small yellowish brown, orange brown or brown spots; in juveniles and subadult, five slightly oblique brown bars on body that bifurcate ventrally; ctenoid body scales except cycloid anterodorsally above lateral line and on thorax and abdomen; body with auxiliary scales; greatest depth of body 2.8-3.3 in SL; rounded caudal fin; pelvic fins 1.9-2.3 in head length ; further characterized by having a slightly convex interorbital area and dorsal head profile; angular preopercle, serrae at the angle slightly enlarged; straight upper edge of operculum; subequal posterior and anterior nostrils; maxilla reaching about below rear third of eye or a little past eye; 2-3 rows of subequal teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Rock grouper is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 15 - 30 m . Tropical; 35°N - 8°N, 105°E - 128°E
🌿 Ecology
small fishes, prawns, crabs, worms, and gastropods (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Rock 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 | 18.4 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 122 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Rock grouper has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | rock grouper |
| 🌍CES | kanic žlutomodrý |
| 🇫🇷French | Mérou Rocaille |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Obihata · オビハタ |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Garoupa-listrada |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Mero De Las Piedras |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 帶點石斑魚 · 擬青石斑魚 · 斑帶石斑魚 · 石斑 · 石釘 · 竹節鱠 · 罔仔 · 過魚 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epinephelus fasciatomaculatus | Peters | 1865 | Synonym |
| Serranus fasciatomaculosus | Peters | 1865 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 4 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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