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Fish profile · Serranidae
Giant grouper
Epinephelus lanceolatus
One of the largest reef fishes, with a bulky body and rounded tail. Its colouring changes markedly with age: small juveniles have conspicuous yellow and dark patches, while adults are mottled brown or grey.
Last reviewed 13 October 2026 · 5 sources
- Max length
- 270 cm
- IUCN
- DD
- Data Deficient
- In Malaysia
- Native
- Family
- Serranidae
- order Perciformes
Category from the IUCN Red List, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0); it may lag the latest Red List assessment.
How big?
Linear scale · person 170 cm
Up to 270 cm.
How to identify
- Very robust body and broad head
- Rounded tail
- Yellow-and-black juveniles become darker mottled adults
Habitat
Caves, wrecks, estuaries and sheltered reefs; usually solitary.
- Diet
- Fish, lobsters and crabs.
- Native range
- Tropical Indo-Pacific.
Eating
Sold in the live reef-fish trade and also produced through aquaculture.
Sources
Last reviewed 13 October 2026