Common name: blacktip grouper

Synonyms and Other Names: redbanded grouper

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: Heemstra and Randall (1993) describe the body color as varying from pale reddish yellow to scarlet, often with five or six faint dark bars with the last bar on the caudal peduncle. The body scales have a pale center and dark rear margin producing a faint checked pattern. The dorsal part of the head and nape are dark red to reddish brown. The outer triangular part of the membrane between the dorsal spines is black with a pale-yellow spot behind the tip of each spine. Scale counts and coloration are variable within the extensive geographic range — at least six morphologically distinct populations are known (Randall and Heemstra 1991; Heemstra and Randall 1993).

 

Size: This species reaches about 40.0 cm total length (Heemstra and Randall 1993).

Native Range: Widespread distribution throughout the Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea and western Indian Ocean to western Australia, and in the Pacific from Japan and Korea to southern Queensland and Lord Howe Island and eastward to the Pitcairn Islands (Randall and Heemstra 1991; Heemstra and Randall 1993).

Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Ecology: Epinephelus fasciatus inhabits coral reefs or rocky substrates over a variety of depths. It is common in shallow water (20–45 m), but also recorded from up to 160 m deep (Heemstra and Randall 1993).

There are slight variations in diet depending on the region but this grouper feeds mainly on crabs and fishes, but also eats mantis shrimps, brittle stars, squat lobsters, and octopuses (Harmelin-Vivien and Bouchon 1976; Morgans 1982; Randall and Ben-Tuvia 1983). Diamant and Shpigel (1985) observed this species foraging with octopuses and moray eels in the Red Sea. This interspecific feeding collaboration where a normally solitary predator joins another predator that flushes prey species from sheltered habitats is believed to be a learned behavior to increase feeding efficiency and access to more diverse food options (Diamant and Shpigel 1985). Sampaio et al. (2021) observed octopuses in the Red Sea ‘punching’ Epinephelus fasciatus during collaborative hunting events presumably as a ‘partner control mechanism’ with the nature of the punch depending on the context of the hunt.

Epinephelus fasciatus is a batch spawner with the spawning period varying between populations throughout the widespread range, though spawning peaks have been noticed a few days after the full moon (Longenecker et al. 2024). Histological studies confirmed this species is a protogynous hermaphrodite whereby males are derived from functional females (Mishina et al. 2006; Longenecker et al. 2024).

Means of Introduction: Intentionally stocked (Maciolek 1984).

Status: Failed.

Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.

References: (click for full references)

Diamant, A., and M. Shpigel. 1985. Interspecific feeding associations of groupers (Teleostei: Serranidae) with octopuses and moray eels in the Gulf of Eilat (Aqaba). Environmental Biology of Fishes 13(2):153-159.

Harmelin-Vivian, M.L., and C. Bouchon. 1976. Feeding behaviour of some carnivorous fishes (Serranidae and Scorpaenidae) from Tulear (Madagascar). Marine Biology 37:329-340.

Heemstra, P.C. and J.E. Randall. 1993. FAO Species Catalogue Vol. 16. Groupers of the World (Family Serranidae, Subfamily Epinephelinae). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of the grouper, rockcod, hind, coral grouper and lyretail species known to date. FAO Fisheries Synopsis, No. 125, Vol. 16. Rome, FAO 382 pp.

Longenecker, K., R. Langston, J. Mamesah, Y. Natan, M. Pattinasarany, A.W. Radjab, A. Romdon, F. Ruli, P. Simanjuntak, F.L. Sinaga, G.V. Limmon, and E.C. Franklin. 2024. Errors in estimating reproductive parameters with macroscopic methods: a case study on the protogynous blacktip grouper Epinephelus fasciatus (Forsskål 1775). Journal of Fish Biology 105:1256-1267.

Maciolek, J.A. 1984. Exotic fishes in Hawaii and other islands. In Distribution, biology and management of exotic fishes, ed. W.R. Courtenay Jr., J.R. Stauffer Jr., pp 131-161. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD.

Mishina, H., B. Gonzares, H. Pagaliawan, M. Moteki, and H. Kohnon. 2006. Reproductive biology of blacktip grouper, Epinephelus fasciatus, in Sulu Sea, Philippines. La Mer 44:23-31.

Morgans, J.F.C. 1982. Serranid fishes of Tanzania and Kenya. Ichthyological Bulletin J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology 46:1-44.

Randall, J.E., and A. Ben-Tuvia. 1983. A review of the groupers (Pisces: Serranidae: Epinephelinae) of the Red Sea, with description of a new species of Cephalopholis. Bulleting of Marine Science 33:373-426.

Randall, J. E. and P. C. Heemstra.  1991.  Revision of Indo-Pacific groupers (Perciformes: Serranidae: Epinephelinae), with description of five new species.  Indo-Pacific Fishes, No. 20.  Bishop Museum, Honolulu, HI.

Sampaio, E., M.C. Seco, R. Rosa, and S. Gingins. 2021. Octopuses punch fishes during collaborative interspecific hunting events. Ecology 102:1-4.

Other Resources:

Author: Brown, M.E., Schofield, P.J., and Fuller, P.

Peer Review Date: 3/1/2006

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.