Description:

Dorsal spines: 11; Dorsal rays: 13-16; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 8.

Large head, moderately elongate body, posterior nostrils distinctly larger than anterior nostrils. Eyes project from dorsal profile. Maxilla reaching well past eye, midlateral 
part of lower jaw with 2 to 5 rows of teeth.Rounded caudal fin. 

Colour. Head and body brown to light tan to a light greenish grey, with round dark spots that vary from dull orange-red to dark brown, centres darker than the edges. Spots 
on the head progressively smaller anteriorly. Black blotch or group of dark spots often apparent at the base of the last four dorsal fins spines. Interspinous dorsal fin 
membranes incised. Five slightly angled faint bars, four below the dorsal spine and one on the peduncle may be visible and may also give rise to dusky blotches at dorsal fin 
base and a saddle on the peduncle. Fins covered with dark spots, on the pectoral fin becoming smaller and less distinct distally. Posterior margin of the caudal, anal and 
pectoral fins often exhibit a white edge. 
 

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 75 cm TL.

(Figures vary considerably with region and author. Craig et al. 2011, for example, cites Max length as 75 cm TL. Heemstra & Randall 1993, state attains 75 cm TL and “Reports of 
sizes in excess of 80 cm TL for E. tauvina are probably based on misidentification of E. coioides, E. malabaricus, and E. lanceolatus). 

Inhabits clear waters of coastal, lagoon and outer coral reefs (depth 1-300 m). Juveniles favour shallow waters whereas adults are found deeper. Feeds on fish and crustacea. 
Solitary. Very little is known about its reproductive biology.

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the hand line fishery where single specimens are an occasional to rare component of the catch. 
 

Craig, M.T. et al. (2011). Groupers of the World - a field and market guide. NISC (Pty) Ltd, South Africa. ISBN: 978-1-920033-11-8
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2019). Fishbase. http://www.fishbase.org/summary/epinephelus-tauvina.html (07/03/19).
Heemstra, P.C. & Randall, J.E. (1993). Groupers of the World. Vol. 16 FAO Species Catalogue. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125, Volume 16. FIR/S125 Vol. 16
Samoilys, M. (2018). Epinephelus tauvina. The IUCN Red List 2018: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T132758A100559522.en. (07/03/19).
 

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Epinephelus tauvina, Greasy grouper. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/epinephelus-tauvina-forsskal-1775/ (edited 06/08/22).