Red-tipped grouper (Epinephelus retouti)

Scientific name: Epinephelus retouti Bleeker, 1868

The Red-tipped grouper (Epinephelus retouti) is a marine fish of the family Serranidae.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-17; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Similar to E. fasciatus, differing primarily by having straighter head profile and longer snout, red rather than black tips on spinous dorsal fin.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Epinephelus retouti
Family: Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 50.0
Common length: 30.0
Depth range: 20–220 m (66–722 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 20 - 220 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: islands in tropical and subtropical waters from the western Indian Ocean to Jarvis Island (Line Islands, Kiribati) and French Polynesia, including Bassas da India (Mozambique Channel).
Conservation status (IUCN): Data deficient (DD)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; gamefish: yes
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