White-blotched grouper (Epinephelus multinotatus)

Scientific name: Epinephelus multinotatus Peters, 1876

The White-blotched grouper (Epinephelus multinotatus) is a marine fish of the family Serranidae. Native range: Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf to southern Mozambique and eastward to Western Australia. Not known from the Red Sea.

Biology

Inhabit clear to turbid water in shallow as well as deep water. Juveniles are found in inshore coral reefs. They feed in water to more than 100 m depth. It has been suggested that juveniles mimic the herbivorous damselfish Neopomacentrus sindensis, presumably to get closer to their unsuspecting prey. Feed on small fishes and crabs. Probably spawn during restricted periods and form aggregations when doing so. Eggs and early larvae are probably pelagic.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Epinephelus multinotatus
Family: Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 100.0
Common length: 75.0
Depth range: 1–100 m (3–328 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 100 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indian Ocean: Persian Gulf to southern Mozambique and eastward to Western Australia. Not known from the Red Sea.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.27)

Sources

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

Last updated 27 September 2026