The grouper belongs to the family of Serranidae. With 500 species in 30 genera they are one of the most extensive groups of fish. Several species are similar in shape but differ in colour.
Their bodies are elongated and oval with spiny fins.
The word "grouper" is widely believed to come from the Portuguese name for the fish, garoupa. In New Zealand and Australia, the name for several species of grouper is referred to as groper. Groupers have small teeth, resembling the teeth of a saw blade, on the edge of their gill covers. Since their body is mottled and has the ability to fade in colour, they are well camouflaged on the sandy bottom. Depending on the type, groupers can reach a length of 1-2.5 metres. Their weight varies from 5 to 100 kg.
Groupers are protogynous hermaphrodites, i.e. the young are predominantly female but transform into males as they grow larger.
