Goldblotch Grouper

Epinephelus costae

The goldblotch grouper (Epinephelus costae) is a medium to large grouper found in the Mediterranean Sea and eastern Atlantic. Adults reach 60-80 cm and display a grey-brown body with a distinctive golden-yellow blotch on the upper flanks near the dorsal fin, along with faint darker vertical bars that may appear and fade. They inhabit rocky reefs, caves, and wrecks at depths of 10-200 meters, most commonly between 20-100 meters. As ambush predators, they feed on fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans, lying in wait near reef structure before striking. They are protogynous hermaphrodites, starting life as females and transitioning to males. Like other grouper species, they tend to be territorial and often occupy the same shelter for extended periods. Their curious nature and the golden blotch marking make them readily identifiable. They are less commonly encountered than the dusky grouper in the Mediterranean, making each sighting noteworthy.