Groupers & sea bass

Serranidae

The heavyweights of the reef. Groupers are often the most confident fish you'll meet — large ones at cleaning stations will let you approach within arm's reach. In marine reserves, resident groupers become reliable dive buddies.

Last updated April 2026

Species

Anthias

Pseudanthias squamipinnis(15 photos)

Least ConcernUp to 15 cm5–35mCoral reef

Brilliant orange females and a single purple-pink male swarm above coral heads in the Red Sea. Small, jewel-colored fish with elongated dorsal fins.

Forms dense, colorful clouds above coral outcrops — the male patrols his harem and the school retreats into the reef when startled.

Observed at

Shabrur Umm Gamar(Hurghada)Jackson reef(Sharm El Sheikh)El Malek(Hurghada)Small Crack(Sharm El Sheikh)Dunraven(Sharm El Sheikh)Ras Ghozlani(Sharm El Sheikh)Gorgonian Garden(Hurghada)

Dusky grouper

Epinephelus marginatus(11 photos)

VulnerableUp to 150 cm8–50mRocky reefCave

The king of the Mediterranean reef — a massive, dark olive-brown grouper with golden-yellow mottling and a broad, heavy head. Can exceed 1 meter.

Rests in caves and under ledges, often allowing close approach in marine reserves where it has learned divers are harmless.

Observed at

Tascó Petit(Illes Medes)El Faro(Ibiza)El desierto(El Hierro)Bajo de Dentro(Cabo de Palos)Pecio de San Andrés(Tarifa)El Plaer del Vell(Costa del Maresme)Ancora del Negre(Costa del Maresme)La Trencada(Costa del Maresme)Carall Bernat(Illes Medes)

Comber

Serranus cabrilla(9 photos)

Least ConcernUp to 25 cm5–50mRocky reefPosidonia

A small, elongated grouper with reddish-brown body crossed by darker vertical bands. Distinguished by the blue lines on its cheeks and gill covers.

Very common on Mediterranean rocky reefs, often resting on boulders or hovering near the bottom — not shy and easy to approach.

Observed at

Mar Menuda(Tossa de Mar)Baja Bocarones(El Hierro)The Tower Marbella(Marbella)La Trencada(Costa del Maresme)

Island grouper

Mycteroperca fusca(4 photos)

VulnerableUp to 80 cm10–50mRocky reefCave

A large, dark grouper endemic to the eastern Atlantic islands — Canaries, Madeira, Azores. Dark brown to black with subtle pale blotches on the flanks.

Patrolling mid-water or resting under volcanic overhangs — less shy than other groupers in protected waters.

Observed at

Baja Rosario(El Hierro)La cueva del diablo(El Hierro)

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