Star-studded grouper (Hyporthodus niphobles)

Scientific name: Hyporthodus niphobles Gilbert & Starks, 1897

The Star-studded grouper (Hyporthodus niphobles) is a marine fish of the family Serranidae. Native range: Eastern Pacific, southern California to Peru. Misidentified as Epinephelus niveatus by some authors.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-15; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Hyporthodus niphobles
Family: Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 48.0
Depth range: 50–130 m (164–427 ft)
Environment: Marine; demersal; depth range 50 - 130 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Eastern Pacific: southern California to Peru. Misidentified as Epinephelus niveatus by some authors.
Conservation status (IUCN): Data deficient (DD), IUCN Grouper and Wrasse Specialist Group
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: subsistence fisheries
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