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🌊 Marine Data Deficient 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Pacific goliath grouper

Epinephelus quinquefasciatus Bocourt, 1868
Max Length
250 cm
Max Weight
Lifespan
Trophic Level
4.2
Depth
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Very low
Vulnerability
85.00/100
Typical Length
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Overview information for Pacific goliath grouper is currently being compiled by our editorial team.

Scientific Name
Epinephelus quinquefasciatus
Authority
Bocourt, 1868
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
DD
Max Length
250 cm
Latitude
18°S – 32°N
Trophic Level
4.2
Resilience
Very low
Vulnerability
85.00/100
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: generally brownish yellow, grey or greenish; head, dorsal part of body and fins with small black spots, becoming smaller with growth; robust, elongate body, greatest width more than half of body depth, distinctly less than head length; body depth contained 2.7-3.4 times in SL; head length 2.3-2.9 times in SL; extremely broad head; flat interorbital; rounded preopercle, finely serrate; posterior and anterior nostrils round and subequal; scaly maxilla, reaching well past eye; 3-5 rows of subequal teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw; absence of canines at front of jaws .

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Pacific goliath grouper is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Pacific goliath grouper is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Pacific goliath grouper is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range ? - 100 m . Tropical; 32°N - 18°S, 115°W - 78°W

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
4.2±0.7

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01148 × L3.04 (TL)
Max TL
250cm
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
Very low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
85.00/100
Very High vulnerability
Trophic Level
4.2
Apex / Top predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
32°N – 18°S
Described By
Bocourt, 1868

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Epinephelus Quinquefasciatus 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

Detailed nutritional data for Pacific goliath grouper is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Pacific goliath 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

👥 Community & Contribute

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