Blue-and-yellow Grouper is a marine fish with the scientific name Epinephelus flavocaeruleus.
This fish belongs to the Serranidae family, which includes anthias and sea basses. They live near reefs in the Indian Ocean.
Young groupers live in shallow reefs, while adults prefer deeper areas.
Their diet consists of different types of fish, crabs, shrimp, lobsters, squids, and small octopuses.
Blue-and-yellow groupers usually live alone and are not safe for reef tanks.
Blue-and-yellow Grouper Interesting Facts
- Blue-and-yellow groupers are part of the Serranidae family and live near reefs in the Indian Ocean.
- They have a diverse diet, consuming fish, crabs, shrimp, lobsters, squids, and small octopuses.
- As they mature, their fins turn yellow, and their body becomes dark blue or grayish-blue.
- This grouper’s habitat ranges from the Gulf of Aden down to South Africa and eastward to Indonesia.
Blue-and-yellow Grouper Habitat
Blue-and-yellow grouper is found in the Indian Ocean. Its habitat ranges from the Gulf of Aden down to Port Alfred in South Africa and eastward to Sumatra, Indonesia.
It can also be seen around islands in the western Indian Ocean such as Cargados Carajos and Rodriguez.
However, it’s not found in the Red Sea or the Persian Gulf.
This marine fish lives near reefs at depths of 10 to 150 meters (33 to 492 feet) and thrives in tropical waters between 19°N to 36°S latitude and 23°E to 98°E longitude.
| Water Temperature: | 72°F to 82°F (22°C to 28°C) |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Blue-and-yellow Grouper Physical Characteristics
Size: 17.7 inches (45.0 centimeters)
Blue-and-yellow grouper can grow up to 90 cm (35.4 inches) long and weigh as much as 15 kg, but it’s more common to see them around 45 cm (17.7 inches) in length.
These fish have 11 spines on their dorsal fin and 16 to 17 soft rays, while their anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays.
As they mature, these groupers develop yellow fins. Young ones are half blue and half yellow, while adults become dark blue or grayish-blue.
Their body has a mix of ctenoid (tooth-like) scales and smooth cycloid scales.
The depth of the blue-and-yellow grouper’s body is about 2.4 to 2.8 times smaller than its standard length (SL), with a slightly indented tail fin.
Its pelvic fins make up about one-third of its head length. Some other distinguishing features include:
- Head length is around 2.4 to 2.7 times smaller than SL.
- The area between the eyes is curved.
- Rear nostrils are large compared to the front ones in adults.
- The preopercle bone is pointed with larger serrations at the angle.
- The maxilla reaches past the eye.
- There are multiple rows of teeth on the lower jaw.
Blue-and-yellow Grouper Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Serranidae |
| Genus: | Epinephelus |
| Scientific Name: | Epinephelus flavocaeruleus |
| Also Known As: | Blue-and-yellow Grouper |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |