Scientific Name
Epinephelus marginatus

Common Name
Dusky grouper

Biology
Prefers rocky bottoms (Ref. 5222). Solitary and territorial (Ref. 12382). Juveniles are found closer to shore (Ref. 48605) in rocky tidal pools (Ref. 48609). Feeds on crabs and octopi; larger individuals feed on a greater proportion of fishes, the majority of which are reef-associated species (Ref. 6842). A protogynous hermaphrodite (Ref. 55367). Forms spawning aggregations (Ref. 55367). Utilized as a food fish (Ref. 171). Readily caught by anglers (Ref. 5222). Does not adapt well in an aquarium (Ref. 12382).

Classification

Classified By

Lowe, 1834

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets (Serranidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Atlantic and Western Indian Ocean

Distribution

Eastern Atlantic and Western Indian Ocean: throughout the Mediterranean Sea and from the British Isles (Ref. 48610) round to the southern tip of Africa to southern Mozambique and Madagascar. Southwest Atlantic: southeastern Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina.

Range

54°N - 43°S, 65°W - 58°E

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

8 m

Depth To - meters

300 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 8 - 300 m (Ref. 27000), usually ? - 50 m (Ref. 5222)

Trophic Level

3.73 s.e. 0.57 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

150 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: highly commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

High to very high vulnerability (72 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.03-0.09; tmax=50; tm=5)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Endangered (EN) (A2d), IUCN Grouper and Wrasse Specialist Group