Groupers (family Epinephelidae) are an important group of marine fishes, which inhabit coral reefs and rocky coastlines of the tropics and subtropics. They are top predators and keystone species, which are central to ecosystem stability and resilience, as well as major sources of food, economic income, recreation for fishermen, and display animals. However, many species are threatened by overfishing, habitat degradation and pollution, and hybridization with commercial stock escapees. Such threats to their longer term existence emphasize the need for well-developed management and protection plans that include best practices for their farming. To address these needs, we provided a comprehensive review of the literature on grouper biology, ecology, fishery resources, and farming. Specifically, we synthesized global research on grouper morphology, behavior, ecology, evolution, and biogeography with more applied knowledge on their artificial breeding, aquaculture, fishery management and public protection, and conservation status. In particular, we used our synthesis of grouper genetics to conclude that hybridization with commercial escapees remains a major, but largely overlooked threat to the long-term integrity of many natural groups. Thus, we suggested greater oversight on artificial hybrid breeding programs. Such focus should be a primary component of any future plans to ensure the sustainability of the Chinese fishery and farming industries for groupers.