Epinephelus marginatus

DE: Brauner Zackenbarsch
EN: Dusky grouper
ES: Mero moreno
FR: Mérou noir

 

The Brown Groupers (Epinephelus marginatus), also known as the Dusky Grouper, is a fascinating marine fish:

  • Distribution and Habitat
    The Brown Groupers lives in the eastern Atlantic, from the Bay of Biscay to South Africa, as well as throughout the Mediterranean. It prefers rocky coasts, reefs and underwater caves, where it often hides during the day.
  • Appearance and Size
    It has a distinctive brown to grey colouration with pale spots and stripes. The dark edge on its fins is particularly noticeable. Fully grown individuals can reach up to 1.5 metres in length and weigh up to 60 kg.
  • Longevity
    Brown scorpionfish can live for over 50 years. They grow slowly and do not reach sexual maturity until they are about 5–7 years old.
  • Hunting behaviour
    They are solitary and nocturnal. At night, they hunt fish, crustaceans and squid. Thanks to their powerful jaws, they can also swallow prey that is almost as large as they are.
  • Sex Change
    Like many grunts, the brown grunt is a proterogynous hermaphrodite: it begins its life as a female and later changes sex, usually at the age of 12–14, to become a male.
  • Threats and protection
    The brown codling is threatened by overfishing and habitat destruction. In many regions, it is considered a protected species, and its capture is strictly regulated or prohibited.
  • Cultural significance
    In the Mediterranean, it is a symbol of healthy reefs and is often admired by divers. In some cultures, it is considered the “King of the Reefs”.