Island grouper (Mycteroperca fusca)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Mycteroperca fusca
- Common name
- Island grouper
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Epinephelidae
- Genus
- Mycteroperca
- Size
- 40–80 cm
- Depth
- 10–200 m
- IUCN status
- Vulnerable (VU)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef, coralligenous, cave
- Behaviours
- solitary, predator
- Ocean zones
- Macaronesia
Description
Mycteroperca fusca reaches 80 cm and 5 kg. Grouper endemic to Macaronesia (Madeira, Canaries, Cape Verde) brown-gray to olive-green with dark spots and marbling, massive head. Lives from 10 to 200 m on drop-offs, caves and rocky scree. Protogynous hermaphrodite (female then male). Heavily overfished, VU status. One of the largest benthic predators in Macaronesian waters, curious and often approachable when diving. Flagship species of Canarian marine parks.
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Island grouper?
- Island grouper (Mycteroperca fusca) reaches 40–80 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Island grouper?
- Island grouper is found between 10–200 m deep.
- Is the Island grouper dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Island grouper?
- IUCN status: Vulnerable (VU).
- Where can you find the Island grouper?
- Found in: Macaronesia.
Other species in the genus Mycteroperca
- Mycteroperca tigris - Tiger grouper
- Mycteroperca venenosa - Yellowfin grouper
- Mycteroperca rosacea - Leopard grouper
- Mycteroperca rubra - Mottled grouper
- Mycteroperca xenarcha - broomtail grouper
- Mycteroperca prionura - sawtail grouper
Other species in the family Epinephelidae
- Epinephelus marginatus - Dusky grouper
- Epinephelus striatus - Nassau grouper
- Cephalopholis fulva - Coney
- Cephalopholis cruentata - Graysby
- Epinephelus fasciatus - Blacktip grouper
- Epinephelus costae - Golden grouper
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 127038)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2389030)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia