Dusky grouper
Epinephelus marginatus
Sighting evidence at Il Medico, Ustica Island
Photo: Billy Bensted-Smith · CC BY-NC
Ustica's dusky grouper population is one of the densest in the Mediterranean, a direct consequence of over 40 years of marine reserve protection in Zone A (no-take, no-entry without permit). Adult males here can exceed 80 cm and 15 kg — sizes almost never encountered in unprotected Mediterranean waters. As apex predators, they regulate populations of octopus, bream, and damselfish, maintaining the structural balance of the reef community. Their tolerance of divers makes Ustica one of the best places in Europe to observe natural grouper behaviour.
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.