Catface grouper (Epinephelus andersoni)

Scientific name: Epinephelus andersoni Boulenger, 1903

The Catface grouper (Epinephelus andersoni) is a brackish-water fish of the family Serranidae.

Biology

Adults inhabit reefs and rocky bottom to a depth of at least 50 m; juveniles are found in tide pools. Feed on fishes, spiny lobsters, and crabs. Sexual maturity is attained at 50 to 60 cm. Are diandric protogynous hermaphrodites unlike that of other congeners.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Epinephelus andersoni
Family: Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 87.0
Depth range: 50 m (164 ft)
Environment: Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range ? - 50 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Southeast Atlantic and Western Indian Ocean: known with certainty only from the southeast coast of Africa between Quissico, Mozambique (24?50'S) and Knysna, South Africa (23?E). Reports from Madagascar are dubious.
Conservation status (IUCN): Near Threatened (NT)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=3)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026