Epinephelus polyphekadion

Osteichthyes Serranidae Genus Epinephelus Epinephelus polyphekadion
Camouflage grouper EEK
Epinephelus polyphekadion
27.8 cm TL
Characteristic features:
  1. 11 dorsal-fin spines
  2. Caudal fin rounded
  3. 47–52 lateral-line scales
  4. Posterior nostril diameter about twice anterior nostril diameter
  5. Small dark-brown spots on head and body
  6. Large black saddle-like blotch on caudal peduncle
Colour:

Head and body pale brown covered in small dark-brown spots with large irregular dark blotches superimposed on top; prominent dark saddle blotch on caudal peduncle; fins pale brown with small dark-brown spots.

Size:

Up to 75 cm TL.

Distribution:

Indo–West Pacific in tropical waters.

Habitat:

Coral reefs from 1 to 45 m depth.

Indonesian fisheries:

Caught with hook-and-line, vertical longline, and trawls.

Similar species:

Epinephelus malabaricus
Malabar grouper

Epinephelus malabaricus

Epinephelus malabaricus differs in having anterior and posterior nostrils subequal, except in large adults where the posterior nostril is slightly larger than anterior (vs. posterior nostrils twice diameter of anterior nostrils) and an oblique dark brown bar or blotches, sometimes with white spots on caudal peduncle (vs. a solid black saddle blotch on caudal peduncle).

to Epinephelus malabaricus

Epinephelus fuscoguttatus
Brownmarbled grouper

Epinephelus fuscoguttatus

Epinephelus fuscoguttatus differs in having dorsal head profile with a distinct indent at eyes (vs. evenly convex).

to Epinephelus fuscoguttatus
External links:

FishBase
The IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM