Discover fishes of the family of Serranidae

The Malabar grouper is a fish native to the Indo-Pacific region. Adults can reach considerable sizes, with recorded catches of individuals over 150 cm and 50 kg. Sought after for the quality of its flesh, this species is captured through various methods such as line fishing, trawling, longlining, traps, and even harpooning. In Hong Kong, it is sold as an ornamental fish. The species has nearly disappeared from several historical regions and is currently heavily overexploited in the waters of the Andaman Islands.

The dusky grouper is a major predator of shallow rocky areas, hunting stealthily for octopuses, invertebrates, and fish. Despite its global distribution, it is threatened by overfishing. This species has been protected on the French Mediterranean coast since 1993. The combined effects of regulations, climate change, and marine protected areas contribute to the successful restoration of grouper populations, which are increasing once again.

It is very aggressive towards fishes from its species, except during the breeding season: In the spring, at nightfall, a pair forms and performs a complex courtship. It is a synchronous hermaphrodite: male and female at the same time. Very curious, it often approach divers.