Epinephelus melanostigma

Epinephelus faveatus differs in having 4 groups of 2 or 3 spots along dorsal-fin base darker than others (vs. a large, single black blotch at mid dorsal fin, covering the base of three spines and extending onto body) and 2 oblique bands on sides of chest (vs. no dark bands on chest).

Epinephelus hexagonatus differs in having 4–5 dark brown blotches on dorsal part of body and caudal peduncle (vs. a large, single black blotch at mid dorsal fin, covering the base of 3 dorsal-fin spines and extending onto body) and a singular large brown or olive green spot behind eye (vs. group of polygonal spots, the same size as surrounding spots, behind eye sometimes darker).

Epinephelus macrospilos differs in having no distinctly large black blotch along dorsal fin, only polygonal spots the same size as surrounding spots (vs. a large, single black blotch at mid dorsal fin, covering the base of 3 dorsal-fin spines and extending onto body).

Epinephelus merra differs in having pectoral fins with distinct small black spots, largely confined to the fin rays (vs. larger black spots, covering entire pectoral fin); no distinct large black blotch along dorsal fin (vs. a large, single black blotch at mid dorsal fin, covering the base of 3 dorsal-fin spines and extending onto body) and 2^nd anal-fin spine subequal to third anal-fin spine and much longer than the depth of caudal peduncle (vs. shorter than caudal peduncle depth).

Epinephelus quoyanus differs in having no distinctly large black blotch along dorsal fin, only polygonal spots the same size as surrounding spots (vs. a large, single black blotch at mid dorsal fin, covering the base of 3 dorsal-fin spines and extending onto body) and 2 oblique bands on sides of chest (vs. no dark bands on chest).

Epinephelus spilotoceps differs in having small black spots, the size of nostrils on the snout (vs. large black spots, much larger than nostril, on snout).