Epinephelus lanceolatus is one of the two largest species of groupers in the world, with the other being E. itajara of the Atlantic and eastern Pacific oceans. However, it is not often caught in the Maldives.
Details
§ 01
size
Max. 2.3 m
color
Small juveniles yellow with irregular broad black bars on body. Small adults with irregular white or yellow spots on the black areas and fins with irregular black spots. Adults dark brown with faint mottling, the fins with numerous small black spots. Large adults dark brown, fins darker.
This type of fish is typically found in shallow waters, but can also be seen at depths of up to 100 meters. It is a frequent inhabitant of coral reefs and wrecks, where it feeds on crustaceans and other fish.
distinctive characters
This species has a dorsal fin with 11 spines and 14-16 rays, an anal fin with 3 spines and 8 rays, a pectoral fin with 18-20 rays, a body depth of 2.4-3.4 in standard length, a robust body, lateral-line scales with branched tubules, a sub-angular preopercle finely serrate with rounded corners, an upper edge of the operculum that is convex, pelvic fins that do not reach the anus, and a rounded caudal fin.