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Black Grouper

Fish · Least Concern

Black Grouper

Epinephelus tukula

About

The potato grouper, also known as the potato cod or potato bass, is a marine ray-finned fish and a grouper of the subfamily Epinephelinae within the family Serranidae, which also takes in the anthias and sea basses. It is broadly distributed across the Indo-Pacific.

Family
Serranidae
Avg size
100-200 cm
Habitat
Potato groupers inhabit coral reefs, favouring reef channels and the areas around sea mounts where currents run strong. Juveniles keep to shallow water and often turn up in tidal pools on the reef, while adults occupy depths between 10 and 150 metres (33 and 492 ft). Solitary by nature, they generally stay within a relatively small home range.
Behaviour
The potato grouper is a solitary ambush predator that hunts small rays, crabs, fish, squid, octopuses, and spiny lobsters. Using the coral as cover, it hides from its prey and lunges once a target comes within reach, swallowing it whole. It is aggressive in defending its territory, although the range it patrols is fairly small.

Where & when

Where & When to See It

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