Greasy Grouper

The Greasy Grouper (Epinephelus tauvina), also referred to as the Arabian Grouper or Greasy Rockcod, is an economically significant species of the Indo-Pacific fish belonging to the Serranidae family.

This species is distributed across the 🌊 Red Sea, along the East African coastline, eastward to the Pitcairn Islands, northward to 🇯🇵 Japan, and southward to Lord Howe Island. Its presence is relatively uncommon in regions such as 🇫🇯 Fiji, 🇹🇴 Tonga, and 🇵🇫 French Polynesia.

The Greasy Grouper predominantly inhabits clear-water regions of coral reefs up to depths of 50 meters, with juveniles occasionally found in reef flats, tidepools, and mangrove estuaries.

Epinephelus tauvina can reach lengths of up to 75 cm (30 inches). It is characterized by a wide, upward-facing mouth with notably thick lips. The fish exhibit pale greenish-grey or brownish coloration with round spots ranging from orange-red to dark brown. A cluster of black spots may be observed along the body at the base of the posterior dorsal fin, and five vertical darker shaded bars may also be present on the body.

The species resembles E. corallicola and E. howlandi, which are differentiated by their shorter bodies and less densely arranged spots. Historical confusion in species identification has led to earlier literature, particularly pre-1984, misattributing characteristics of E. tauvina to other grouper species, such as Epinephelus coioides, Epinephelus malabaricus, and Epinephelus lanceolatus.

The Greasy Grouper is characterized by its longevity and slow growth rate and is a protogynous hermaphrodite. As an apex predator on the reef, its diet primarily comprises small fish and occasionally crustaceans.

This species is targeted in both recreational fisheries, including spearfishing and hook-and-line methods, and plays a significant role in commercial fisheries. It is also present in the aquarium trade. In 2013, the aggregate production of the Greasy Grouper, encompassing recreational fisheries, commercial fisheries, and aquaculture, reached 16,234 tonnes.