Honeycomb grouper

Description

The honeycomb grouper or dwarf spotted rockcod (Epinephelus merra),also known by other vernacular names,is a species of marine fish in the family SerranidaeEpinephelus merra reaches a maximum known length of 32 centimetres (13 in) and it is one of the smaller fish species in the Epinephelus genus.This species has a long dorsal fin with eleven spines,15-17 dorsal soft rays and 8 anal soft rays.The body is ocher to light brown,stocky,with an oval profile.It is covered by small brown hexagons with pale interspaces disposed on irregular darker diagonal bands and forming a network (hence the common name of the species).These hexagonal spots are also present on all fins.The caudal fin is rounded and the interorbital area is flat,with a convex dorsal head profile.The eyes are globular,with red-brown to black pupils.The lower jaw is longer than the upper one and on the midlateral part of the lower jaw there are 2-4 rows of teeth