Longspine grouper (Epinephelus longispinis)

Scientific name: Epinephelus longispinis Kner, 1864

The Longspine grouper (Epinephelus longispinis) is a marine fish of the family Serranidae. Native range: Indo-West Pacific, Kenya to South Africa (32?S) and east to the Watubela Group of the eastern Banda Sea. Not known from the Red Sea nor Persian Gulf.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-17; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Similar to E. maculatus but fewer spots and posterior ones elongated.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Epinephelus longispinis
Family: Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 55.0
Depth range: 1–70 m (3–230 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 70 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: Kenya to South Africa (32?S) and east to the Watubela Group of the eastern Banda Sea. Not known from the Red Sea nor Persian Gulf.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

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

Last updated 27 September 2026