Potato Grouper

Epinephelus tukula

UncommonSerranidaeCiguatera risk

ID points

Large potato-shaped dark blotches scattered on a greyish white ground
Extremely bulky, with a big head and thick lips
Very curious, will come right up to divers

Basics

Family: Serranidae
Length: 100–200 cm
Depth: 10-150 m
Regions: Indo-Pacific reefs
Distribution: Tropical coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans
Habitat: Coral reefs, caves and ledges
Diet: Fish, lobster, octopus

Easily confused with

GrouperLarge head and mouth, with the lower jaw slightly protruding

Leopard GrouperBrown ground densely covered with small red-brown spots

Camouflage GrouperBrown blotches join into camouflage with blurred edges

Fun fact

The Potato Grouper is one of the largest bony fishes on any coral reef, reaching 2 metres in length and 110 kg in weight. The big dark blotches along its flanks look just like potatoes, which is how it got the name. Juveniles are coloured completely differently from adults, and the fish lives alongside small cleaner species, letting them forage for parasites inside its own mouth.

More in this family

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