Names
Scientific name: Epinephelus coioides
Internationally, it is referred to as the Orange-spotted Grouper. Other common names include Brown-spotted Rockcod and Estuary Cod. In the UAE, the young (below 45 cm) is known as Balool (بالول), while the older counterpart is known as Hamour (هامور).
Hamour - هامور
Shape and color
The Orange-spotted Grouper has an elongated and fat body, that is brownish in color with a lighter-colored belly and a big mouth, and has unique orange spots covering its body.
Habitat
They are commonly found swimming around the bottom near rocks, caves, and wrecks, and are not commonly found in schools.
Feeding
They are known for predatory feeding and feed on many marine species including fishes, shrimps, crabs, and some others.
Fishing season
They are common fish in the waters of the UAE and can be encountered throughout the year. They do, however, prefer Winter months and are not as common during the Summer months of June, July, and August.
Fishing method
They can be caught using various fishing techniques including fishing rods and fish traps (locally known as Gargoor).
Fun facts
Minimum legal length: 45 centimeters.
Fishing status: Not banned.
<p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Lato, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><u class="x-el x-el-span c2-3i c2-3j c2-3 c2-5a c2-3r c2-3o c2-5b c2-5e" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Lato, arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: inherit; text-transform: inherit; font-weight: inherit; color: inherit; font-size: inherit !important; line-height: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><strong class="x-el x-el-span c2-3i c2-3j c2-3 c2-5a c2-3r c2-2b c2-5b" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Lato, arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: inherit; text-transform: inherit; color: inherit; font-size: inherit !important; line-height: inherit;">Names</strong></u></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Lato, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">Scientific name: Epinephelus coioides</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Lato, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">Internationally, it is referred to as the Orange-spotted Grouper. Other common names include Brown-spotted Rockcod and Estuary Cod. In the UAE, the young (below 45 cm) is known as Balool (بالول), while the older counterpart is known as Hamour (هامور).</span></p>
Hamour - هامور
Shape and color
The Orange-spotted Grouper has an elongated and fat body, that is brownish in color with a lighter-colored belly and a big mouth, and has unique orange spots covering its body.
Habitat
They are commonly found swimming around the bottom near rocks, caves, and wrecks, and are not commonly found in schools.
Feeding
They are known for predatory feeding and feed on many marine species including fishes, shrimps, crabs, and some others.
Fishing season
They are common fish in the waters of the UAE and can be encountered throughout the year. They do, however, prefer Winter months and are not as common during the Summer months of June, July, and August.
Fishing method
They can be caught using various fishing techniques including fishing rods and fish traps (locally known as Gargoor).
Fun facts
Minimum legal length: 45 centimeters.
Fishing status: Not banned.