Pacific goliath grouper
📖 Overview
Pacific goliath grouper (Epinephelus quinquefasciatus), first described by Bocourt, 1868 is a giant fish in the family Epinephelidae (order Perciformes). Adults typically reach 250.00 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. It occurs in Tropical waters. Diet is predominantly piscivorous, targeting other fish and larger prey. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Data Deficient.The species is important as a food fish. As a member of the Epinephelidae, it shares life-history and morphological traits with its relatives in the group.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 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
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range ? - 100 m . Tropical; 32°N - 18°S, 115°W - 78°W
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Epinephelus Quinquefasciatus 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
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
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Pacific goliath 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.