Whitespotted grouper

Description

The whitespotted grouper is a moderately deep-bodied fish growing to a maximum length of about 76 cm (30 in).There are three to five rows of teeth in the lower jaw.The dorsal fin has eleven spines and about sixteen soft rays and the anal fin has three spines and eight soft rays.The pelvic fins are short and the caudal fin is rounded.The top edge of the opercular cover is only slightly convex and the posterior edge curves at an acute angle.The head,body and dorsal fin are dark brownish-grey,spotted with large white blotches.In large adults,over about 30 cm (12 in),the white patches tend to merge into wavy bands or mottling.