Epinephelus areolatus is an attractive species, characterized by its pale brown spotting. It can be mistaken for E. cholorostigma, however, the latter has much smaller spots and slightly different fin and gill raker counts.
Details
§ 01
size
Max. 40 cm
color
Pale, covered with numerous dark brown spots. About 8-14 dark spots from last dorsal spine to anus. Spots relatively smaller and more numerous with growth. Caudal margin whitish.
This species is found on sea grass beds or on fine sediment bottoms near rocky reefs and dead corals at depths of 6 to 200 meters. It feeds on benthic invertebrates and small fish.
distinctive characters
The dorsal fin has 11 spines and 15-17 rays, the anal fin usually has 3 spines and 8 rays, the pectoral fin has 17-19 rays, and the body depth is 2.8-3.3 in standard length. Additionally, there are 14 to 16 gill rakers on the lower limb, the preopercle is serrate with 3-7 large serrae at the angle, and the dorsal fin membrane is distinctly incised between spines. The caudal fin is slightly convex in juveniles and truncate or slightly emarginate in adults.