There are several species of groupers found around the world, including the dusky grouper, the big star of the French Mediterranean coast and more generally of the Mediterranean.
The dusky grouper measures around 3 feet and can reach up to 5 feet in length.
The dusky grouper has a brownish coloration either solid or mottled with yellow spots depending on the individual
Oval in shape, the grouper has a long dorsal fin and is characterized by a mouth surrounded by thick lips.
The dusky grouper has a brownish coloration either solid or mottled with yellow spots depending on the individual.
Geographic range
The dusky grouper is found in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, ranging from South Africa to Portugal.
Habitat
The dusky grouper is a sedentary fish that lives close to the seabed, sheltering in rocky crevices or under rocky overhangs.
Its territory typically includes several shelters with one of them being regularly frequented.
The dusky grouper can be found at depths ranging from 16 to 33 feet down to approximately 656 feet.
Diet
The dusky grouper primarily feeds on fish, crustaceans and octopuses.
The distinctive mouth of the dusky grouper
The dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus)
Reproduction
The dusky grouper has the unique ability to change sex once in its lifetime. It starts as a female at a young age and becomes a male around 10 to 15 years old.
Did you know ?
The dusky grouper can live up to 50 years.
Despite its bulky appearance, it is capable of rapid acceleration to catch its prey.
Fishing with hooks and spearfishing for the dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) are banned along the entire mainland Mediterranean coast. This moratorium on grouper fishing was extended by a prefectural decree on 12/17/2007 until 2013.
Tips for observing
The dusky grouper is not very shy and can be easily approached as long as no sudden movements are made.
Encounter with a dusky grouper
The video gallery
A dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) waits under the shelter of a rocky overhang
Within the same genus
Atlantic Goliath Grouper (Epinephelus itajara)
Brown-marbled grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus)
Camouflage grouper (Epinephelus polyphekadion)
Malabar grouper (Epinephelus malabaricus)
Potato grouper (Epinephelus tukula)
Red hind grouper (Epinephelus guttatus)
Speckledfin grouper (Epinephelus ongus)
Starry grouper (Epinephelus labriformis)
Within the same family
Atlantic creolefish (Paranthias furcifer)
Coral grouper (Cephalopholis miniata)
Darkfin hind (Cephalopholis urodeta)
Gag grouper (Mycteroperca microlepis)
Halfspotted grouper (Cephalopholis hemistiktos)
Highfin coral grouper (Plectropomus oligacanthus)
Redmouth grouper (Aethaloperca rogaa)
Tomato grouper (Cephalopholis sonnerati)
Discover also
Australian spiny gurnard (Lepidotrigla papilio)
Big-belly seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis)
Black scorpionfish (Scorpaena porcus)
Clown frogfish (Antennarius maculatus)
Eschmeyer's scorpionfish (Rhinopias eschmeyeri)
Filamented goby (Exyrias akihito)
Mimic surgeonfish (Acanthurus pyroferus)
Old glory (Koumansetta rainfordi)
The marine species from Mediterranean sea
Blotched picarel (Spicara maena)
Five-spotted wrasse (Symphodus roissali)
Giant salp (Salpa maxima)
Hatpin sea urchin (Centrostephanus longispinus)
Red sea-squirt (Halocynthia papillosa)
Smooth starfish (Hacelia attenuata)
Umbrella weed (Acetabularia acetabulum)
Violet sea urchin (Sphaerechinus granularis)
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