Latin name

Epinephelus malabaricus

Other name

Blackspot rockcod, estuary rockcod, giant rock cod, greasy grouper, Malabar rockcod, Morgan's cod or speckled grouper.

Identification

Malabar grouper has ridged scales on body except cycloid scales on anterodorsal part, thorax and abdomen; body with additional scales; maximum body depth 3.0-3.6 inches across; head length 2.0-2.6 inches across; head length 2.3-2.6 times muzzle length; snout length 1.7-2.0 times maxillary length; width of interorbital spaces 4.5-6.5 times maxillary length and 2.1-3. 0 times the length of the upper jaw; flat or slightly convex interorbital area; subangular preorbital depression with enlarged denticles at the corners; almost straight upper margin of the eyelids; irregularly spaced posterior and anterior nostrils, except in large adults, in which the posterior nostrils are slightly larger; maxilla reaching or extending vertically at the posterior margin of the orbit, width of maxilla 4.5-6.5% of SL; length of maxilla 17-22% of SL, 2-5 rows of teeth in the mediolateral part of the mandible.

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. The caudal fin is rounded.

Fish colouring

Characterised by a pale grey or yellowish brown colour, five slightly oblique dark brown stripes that fork ventrally, and numerous small black patches and spots on the head and body. 

Distribution

Widespread in the warm coastal waters of the Indian Ocean and western Pacific. In the west the species is found from the Red Sea to southern Africa, and in the east as far as Tonga and southern Japan. The species has been reported from the Haifa area of the Mediterranean. 

Habitat

Tropical marine amphidromous species. Occurs to depths of 60m, sometimes 150m, in mangroves, lagoons and reefs in saline and brackish waters.

Size

These fish are 1-1.2 m long, rarely exceeding 2 m. The largest recorded specimen is 2.34 m long and weighs 150 kg. 

Behavior

A common species inhabiting coral and rocky reefs, intertidal areas, estuaries, mangrove swamps on sandy or muddy bottoms. It is a solitary species. Juveniles have been found close to shore and in estuaries.

Food and feeding habits

Its diet is based on small fish and crustaceans, and less commonly on cephalopods.

Reproduction

Malabar groupers are hermaphrodites: each adult has both an ovary for egg production and glands for sperm production. This means that an individual can produce and fertilise its own eggs. All individuals are considered females at birth, but become males when they reach sexual maturity.

Fishing

It's a highly commercially important species.

Relationship with a person

Harmless. Introduced into live fish markets in Hong Kong. Widely used in mariculture, particularly in the Far East.