About Epinephelus costae (Steindachner, 1878)
Scientific Name and Maximum Length
The gold-blotch grouper, scientifically named Epinephelus costae (Steindachner, 1878), reaches a maximum standard length of 1.4 meters.
Juvenile Appearance
Juvenile gold-blotch groupers are striped and have a strikingly different appearance from adult fish.
Historical Taxonomy
Because of this difference, they were classified as a separate species until 1882.
Habitat and Depth Range
This species lives in shallow coastal waters, most commonly found at depths less than 80 meters, but it can sometimes go as deep as 200 meters.
