Epinephelinae

Epinephelinae is a subfamily of marine ray-finned fishes in the family Serranidae, commonly known as groupers. Members occur in tropical and subtropical oceans around the world, with the greatest diversity on coral reefs but also on rocky bottoms, mangroves, and seagrass beds. They range from smaller species to large, commercially important reef predators.

Taxonomy and classification within Epinephelinae include several genera such as Epinephelus, Cephalopholis, Mycteroperca, Plectropomus, and Hyporthodus. The fishes in this subfamily are typically robust-bodied and exhibit diverse color patterns that can change with age and environment. Many species exhibit protogynous hermaphroditism, starting life as females and later becoming males, a trait that influences their social structure and reproductive strategies.

Biology and ecology: Groupers are predominantly ambush predators, feeding on fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods. They often form territorial or solitary lifestyles, with spawning aggregations occurring in some species. Juveniles commonly use nursery habitats such as mangroves and seagrass beds before moving to adult reef or bottom zones. They tend to have slow growth, late sexual maturity, and long lifespans, factors that contribute to their vulnerability to overfishing and habitat degradation.

Fisheries and conservation: Groupers support commercial and recreational fisheries in many regions. Overfishing and habitat loss have led to declines in numerous species. Management approaches include size limits, seasonal closures, catch quotas, protected areas, and protections for spawning sites. Some Epinephelinae species are considered threatened or are subject to regional conservation measures, reflecting their ecological importance and conservation challenges.