Spotted black grouper
Spotted black grouper are only found in southeast Australia, Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs, Lord Howe, Norfolk Islands and northern New Zealand. They inhabit rocky reefs in estuaries and on the open coast to at least 50m depth.
They are highly territorial and may inhabit the same piece of reef for life. Their preference for shallow reefs and territorial behaviour make this species highly vulnerable to line and spear fishers. Spotted black grouper (Epinephelus daemelii) are protected under the Wildlife Act 1953.
Spotted black grouper inhabit rocky reefs in estuaries and on the open coast to at least 50m depth.
The main threat to this species is accidental capture by line and spearfishers.
If you inadvertently kill a spotted black grouper please keep the specimen and notify DOC immediately so that we can fill the gaps in our knowledge of the species' biology.
Spotted black grouper can easily be confused with a variety of related species. If you are in doubt about what species you have caught, release it alive and unharmed.
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