Marshall Islands Groupers (Epinephelidae)

Thumbnails on this page link to some of the groupers (Epinephelidae) we have seen at Kwajalein. Some species, particularly those in the genus Epinephelus, are similar in color and pattern, and it is possible we have some misidentified. A few we have been able to capture only at a distance with video, so the images are not always sharp. The groupers include some large, carnivorous species and many have been implicated in cases of ciguatera poisoning. It is wise to avoid eating any from the Marshalls unless you have good reason to believe they are safe. Unless otherwise noted, sizes given are maximum sizes for the species listed in Fishbase, not necessarily the size of the figured specimen.


Aethaloperca rogaa

Anyperodon leucogrammicus

Cephalopholis argus

Cephalopholis argus

Cephalopholis leopardus

Cephalopholis leopardus

Cephalopholis miniata

Cephalopholis miniata

Cephalopholis polleni

Cephalopholis sexmaculata

Cephalopholis sonnerati

Cephalopholis spiloparaea

Cephalopholis urodeta

Epinephelus coeruleopunctatus

Epinephelus cyanopodus

Epinephelus fasciatus

Epinephelus fuscoguttatus

Epinephelus hexagonatus

Epinephelus howlandi

Epinephelus howlandi

Epinephelus lanceolatus

Epinephelus macrospilos

Epinephelus maculatus

Epinephelus melanostigma

Epinephelus merra

Epinephelus ongus

Epinephelus ongus

Epinephelus polyphekadion

Epinephelus socialis

Epinephelus spilotoceps

Epinephelus tauvina

Gracila albomarginata

Gracila albomarginata

Plectropomus areolatus

Plectropomus areolatus

Plectropomus laevis

Plectropomus laevis

Plectropomus laevis

Plectropomus oligacanthus

Variola albimarginata

Variola louti

Variola louti

In addition to those above, the following grouper species were reported from the Marshalls in Randall et al (2005). These were all deeper water fish from the markets and were collected by bottom fishing. We have seen none of these within diving depths. Links to Fishbase.

Aulacocephalus temminckii Bleeker, 1855
Cephalopholis aurantia (Valenciennes, 1828)
Cephalopholis igarashiensis Katayama, 1957
Epinephelus chlorostigma (Valenciennes, 1828)
Epinephelus miliaris (Valenciennes, 1830)
Epinephelus retouti Bleeker, 1868
Plectranthias kamii Randall, 1980
Saloptia powelli Smith, 1963

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