Foursaddle Grouper

Description

Epinephelus spilotoceps can reach a maximum length of 35 centimetres (14 in) in males. The body is covered with dark brown, olive, or reddish brown polygonal spots, with the interspaces forming a white reticulum. Three dark brown blotches are usually visible at the base of the dorsal fin. Another dark brown blotch forms a saddle on the caudal peduncle. These blotches differentiates this species from the similar E. merra and E. quoyanus.

Distribution

This grouper is widespread in Indo-West-Pacific, from East coast of Africa (Zanzibar, Tanzania to Ponta Zavora, Mozambique) to the islands of Indian and west-central Pacific but it is absent from the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Taiwan and Japan.

Habitat

The foursaddle grouper is a reef-associated species. It usually can be found in lagoons and reef margins at depths up to 30 metres (98 ft).