Comet grouper (Epinephelus morrhua)

Scientific name: Epinephelus morrhua Valenciennes, 1833

The Comet grouper (Epinephelus morrhua) is a marine fish of the family Serranidae.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-15; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 8

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Scientific name: Epinephelus morrhua
Family: Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 90.0
Common length: 60.0
Depth range: 80–370 m (262–1214 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 80 - 370 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific. Epinephelus poecilonotus, Epinephelus radiatus, and Epinephelus tuamotoensis are sometimes referred to as this species.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

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

Last updated 27 September 2026