Dusky grouper
Epinephelus marginatus
Sighting evidence at Monte da Guia, Azores — Faial and Pico
Photo: Billy Bensted-Smith · CC BY-NC
The dusky grouper is the dominant large predator on Azorean rocky reefs, capable of exceeding 60 kg and living for over 50 years. As a protogynous hermaphrodite that begins life female before transitioning to male, large individuals are all males — making size-selective fishing particularly damaging. The Azores' partially protected reefs support some of the largest individuals remaining in European waters. They are bold, inquisitive fish that often approach divers at Monte da Guia's crater walls.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Dusky grouper is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.