Surge grouper (Epinephelus socialis)

Scientific name: Epinephelus socialis G?nther, 1873

The Surge grouper (Epinephelus socialis) is a marine fish of the family Serranidae.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Preopercle rounded, finely serrate; upper edge of the operculum sinuous; nostril subequal; maxilla reaches past vertical at rear edge of the eye. Pectoral fins fleshy. Head and body whitish, with small close-set blackish-brown spots, those on the rear part of the body coalesced to form irregular longitudinal bands. Four dark blotches usually at the base of the dorsal fin and a fifth forming a dark saddle blotch on the peduncle. Fins with small white spots and whitish margins, usually with a black submarginal band.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Epinephelus socialis
Family: Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 52.0
Depth range: 0–3 m (0–10 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 3 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Pacific Ocean: islands of Oceania; Ogasawara Islands, Marcus Islands, Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands, Phoenix Islands, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Line Islands, Society Islands, Rapa, Tuamoto Islands, and the Pitcairn Group. Unknown in Hawaii, the Marquesas, Caroline Islands, nor in any Melanesian islands.
Conservation status (IUCN): Near Threatened (NT)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial
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