Saltwater
Goldblotch Grouper
Epinephelus costae
Hebrew name: לוקוס חפש
- Peak season
- Late spring through autumn
- Length range
- 25–140 cm
- Weight range
- 0.5–25 kg
- Typical depth
- 10–200 m
Status: Protected — no fishing
- Per Protected Natural Assets Declaration (Amendment), 2021, April 18, 2021
Habitat
Rocky bottoms and reef edges in eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, 20–200m. Commonly caught off Israeli coast.
Behavior
Solitary territorial predator. Lighter coloured than Dusky Grouper, with golden blotches on flanks. PROTECTED in Israel since 2021 — fishing it is forbidden; release immediately if caught.
Best techniques
- Live bait on heavy bottom rig
- Slow-pitch jigging over rocks
- Soft plastics near structure
- Drift fishing with cut bait
