Honeycomb grouper
📖 Overview
A solitary fish, in coastal and offshore reefs usually in less than 20 m depth ; also very common in shallow lagoon and semi-protected seaward reefs. Juveniles are common in thickets of staghorn Acropora corals. Feed on crustaceans and fishes. Increase of piscivory with age is observed in this species. Neither opercular spine nor anterolateral glandular grooves with venom gland is present . Current information in the table (dangerous fish) do not match; needs verification. Cultured under experimental conditions in the Philippines . In the Hong Kong live fish markets . It is important to artisanal fisheries because of its abundance in shallow water and caught with handlines, fish traps, and spear .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 17; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. This species is distinguished by the following characters: greatest body depth 2.8-3.3 in SL; head length 2.3-2.6 in SL; preopercle rounded or subangular, the serrae at angle enlarged; upper edge of operculum almost straight; midlateral part of lower jaw with 2-4 rows of teeth, the inner teeth about twice length of outer ones; gill rakers of first gill arch 6-9 + 14-17; dorsal fin spines third to last subequal, the longest 2.4-3.2 in HL; anal fin spines second and third subequal, 2.1-3.0 in HL and longer than depth of peduncle; caudal fin rounded, peduncle depth 3.2-4.1 in HL; pectoral-fin rays 16-18; lateral-line scales 48-54, in series 98-114. Head, body, and fins pale, are covered with close-set (sometimes coalesced), dark brown or reddish brown spots, the interspaces forming an irregular pale reticulum; pectoral fins are covered with distinct small black spots, largely confined to the rays (the best diagnostic colour character of this species) .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Honeycomb grouper is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Honeycomb grouper is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 50 m , usually ? - 20 m . Tropical; 35°N - 35°S, 28°E - 129°W South Africa to French Polynesia.
🌿 Ecology
crustaceans and fishes
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Honeycomb 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) | 132 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Honeycomb grouper has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Birdwire Rockcod · Black-spotted Rock-cod · Common Birdwire Rockcod · Dwarf Spotted Rockcod · Dwarf Spotter Grouper · Dwarf-spotted Grouper · Honeycomb Cod · Honeycomb Grouper · Honeycomb Rock-cod · Wire-netted Reefcod · Wire-netting Cod · Wire-netting Rock-cod · honeycomb rockcod · Honeycomb Rock Cod |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | Hamoor |
| 🌍CES | kanic plástvový |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Bikage-bars |
| 🇩🇪German | Honigwaben-Zackenbarsch |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | Kennomeriahven |
| 🇫🇷French | Loche rayon de miel · Loche rayon de miel, Macabit · Macabit · Merou A Treillis · Merou Gateua De Cire · Mérou gâteau de cire · Mérou gâteau de cire, Plat gris · Mérou rayon de miel · Plat Gris · Vielle De Fond · Vielle Gris · Vielle Voleuse |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Cernia a nido d'ape · Cernia favo · Cernia tassellata |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Kammonhata · カンモンハタ |
| 🌍MSA | Kertang |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | garoupa-panaleira |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Сетчатый групер |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Mero Enano de Panal · Mero Panal |
| 🌍TAH | faeta, faroa, maraao, mauriuri, tarao, tarao maraurau |
| 🌍TEL | Bontoo |
| 🌍TGL | Alatan · Kaltang · Kulapo · Lapu-lapung lupot · Lubo · Sigapo |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 六角格仔 · 牛屎斑 · 網紋石斑魚 · 花頭梅 (金錢斑) · 蜂巢格仔 · 蜂巢石斑魚 · 蜂巢石斑鱼 · 蝴蝶斑 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cephalopholis merra | Bloch | 1793 | Synonym |
| Ephinephelus merra | Bloch | 1793 | Synonym |
| Epinephalus merra | Bloch | 1793 | Synonym |
| Epinephilus merra | Bloch | 1793 | Synonym |
| Serranus merra | Bloch | 1793 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 61 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Honeycomb 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.