Epaulet grouper  (Epinephelus stoliczkae)

Description

An intricate pattern of spots, blotches and bars decorates the robust body of the epaulet grouper. With the exception of the underside, the anterior half of its yellowish-grey body (including the head) is covered in numerous orange-red or reddish-brown spots. In contrast, several alternating, light-and-dark, vertical bars extend backwards from around the middle of the body to the caudal fin (2) (3). In common with many other groupers, the mouth is large, and the long dorsal fin is divided into a conspicuously spiny portion followed by a soft portion (4).

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