Epinephelus malabaricus

EnglischCharacterized by light grey to yellowish brown color; five slightly oblique dark brown bars that bifurcate ventrally; numerous small black spots and blotches in head and body; ctenoid scales on body except cycloid anterodorsally on body, thorax and abdomen; body with auxiliary scales; greatest depth of body 3.0-3.6 in SL; rounded caudal fin; pelvic fins, 2.0-2.6 in head length (Ref. 90102); head length 2.3-2.6 times in SL; snout length 1.7-2.0 times in upper jaw length; interorbital width 4.5-6.5 times in HL and 2.1-3.0 times in upper jaw length; flat or slightly convex interorbital area; subangular preopercle, with enlarged serrae at the angle; almost straight upper edge of operculum; subequal posterior and anterior nostrils, except in large adults which have the posterior nostrils slightly larger; maxilla reaches to or past vertical at rear edge of orbit, maxilla width 4.5-6.5% of SL; upper jaw length 17-22% of SL, 2-5 rows of teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw (Ref. 89707).

• Serranus salmonoides Valenciennes, 1828
• Epinephelus malabrica (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
• Epinephelus salmoides (Lacepède, 1802)
• Serranus polypodophilus Bleeker, 1849
• Cephalopholis malabaricus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
• Holocentrus malabaricus Bloch & Schneider, 1801
• Serranus semi-punctatus Valenciennes, 1828
• Serranus estuarius Macleay, 1883
• Epinephelus salmonoides (Valenciennes, 1828)
• Epinephelus cylindricus Postel, 1965
• Holocentrus salmoides Lacepède, 1802
• Serranus crapao Cuvier, 1829