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  • Giant Grouper
Fish

Giant Grouper

Scientific Name

Epinephelus lanceolatus

Other Common Name(s)

Queensland Grouper, Brindle Grouper, Brindle Bass

Body Weight

Up to 400 kg

Body Length

Up to 2.7 m

A large fish swimming above a diver.
Large dark grey fish with white spots swimming in blue water, smaller fish in background.

Habitat

Coral reefs and shallow waters
Blue underwater scene with a slope and small dark dots.

Diet

Fish, crustaceans, and juvenile sea turtles
Fish, scallop, squid, and shrimp.
Green iguana and green frog

Fun Facts

  • Giant groupers are the largest bony fish in coral reefs. However, they grow slowly and may take decades to reach sexual maturity.

  • By protruding their large mouth, giant groupers create suction to swallow their prey whole. They feed on fish, spiny lobsters and may even eat baby sea turtles.

    • Large grey fish with white spots facing forward, mouth slightly open, in an underwater setting.
    Large grey spotted fish with open mouth in an aquarium.

    Distribution

    Indian Ocean to Western Pacific Ocean, including waters of Australia, China, Indonesia, and Tanzania. Native to Hong Kong

    Threats & Conservation

    Threats & Conservation

    Threats

    • An axe and a hexagonal grid with red dotsAn axe and a hexagonal grid with red dots

      Overexploitation of Biological Resources

    There is a high demand for giant groupers in the live reef food fish trade of Southeast Asia. Hong Kong is a major importer. Small individuals, which are sexually immature, are valued as delicacies and commonly sold in restaurants and markets. The gall bladders are also sought after as dietary supplement. Though many are now farmed in mariculture, some individuals are still caught from the wild. Intense fishing has nearly caused extirpation in certain regions.

    Conservation

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    CITES logo and text Appendix II

    IUCN Red List

    • Data Deficient

    CITES

    • Appendix II

    Conservation

    • Protected under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) in Hong Kong

    Support Mission R to protect animals & plants!

    Saving Species & Habitats

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