Potato grouper (Epinephelus tukula)

Scientific name: Epinephelus tukula Morgans, 1959

The Potato grouper (Epinephelus tukula) is a marine fish of the family Serranidae.

Biology

Mainly found in deep reef channels and seamounts, in current prone areas. Juveniles may be found in tide pools. Feeds on reef fishes, skates, crabs, and spiny lobsters. Considered to be exceedingly territorial and very aggressive towards intruders. Vulnerable to spear fishers. Hand fed by divers in certain areas, but potentially dangerous to the inexperienced. In the Hong Kong live fish markets.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Epinephelus tukula
Family: Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 200
Depth range: 10–150 m (33–492 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 10 - 150 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to southern Japan and Queensland, Australia. Also from the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. There are no records from Madagascar, Mauritius, Maldives, Laccadives, and Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC), IUCN Grouper and Wrasse Specialist Group
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 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