Orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides)

Scientific name: Epinephelus coioides Hamilton, 1822

The Orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) is a brackish-water fish of the family Serranidae.

Biology

Inhabit turbid coastal reefs and are often found in brackish water over mud and rubble. Juveniles are common in shallow waters of estuaries over sand, mud and gravel and among mangroves. Feed on small fishes, shrimps, and crabs. Probably spawn during restricted periods and form aggregations when doing so. Eggs and early larvae are probably pelagic. Has been tested in several countries as a potential species for mariculture.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Epinephelus coioides
Family: Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 120
Depth range: 100 m (328 ft)
Environment: Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range ? - 100 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea south to at least Durban, South Africa and eastward to Palau and Fiji, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the Arafura Sea and Australia. Recently reported from the Mediterranean coast of Israel. Frequently misidentified as Epinephelus tauvina or Epinephelus malabaricus.
Conservation status (IUCN): Near Threatened (NT), IUCN Grouper and Wrasse Specialist Group
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.17; tm=2-3; tmax=22)

Sources

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

Last updated 27 September 2026