Marbled grouper (Dermatolepis inermis)

Scientific name: Dermatolepis inermis Valenciennes, 1833

The Marbled grouper (Dermatolepis inermis) is a marine fish of the family Serranidae. Native range: Western Atlantic, North Carolina, USA to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-20; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 10. Body and fins black with many large white blotches. Compressed, with a large pectoral fin; scales smooth.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Dermatolepis inermis
Family: Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 91.0
Common length: 50.0
Depth range: 3–213 m (10–699 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 213 m, usually 3 - 35 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Western Atlantic: North Carolina, USA to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.
Conservation status (IUCN): Near Threatened (NT), IUCN Grouper and Wrasse Specialist Group
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 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