Banded Grouper

Distinguished by the following characteristics: head and body pale greyish brown dorsally, usually golden yellow ventrally; 4 broad dark bars on the dorsal part of the body, one on caudal peduncle and another often visible on nape; numerous small yellow spots on head and body; body and median fins with small greyish white spots; soft dorsal and caudal fins and sometimes the anal fin, with prominent yellow margin; dusky yellow paired fins; yellow mustache in the maxillary groove; body depth 2.7-3.3 times in SL; head length 2.3-2.6 times in SL; convex interorbital area; strongly convex dorsal head profile; subangular preopercle, 2-5 strong spines at the angle; upper edge of operculum straight, uppermost spine rudimentary; maxilla reaches about to vertical at rear edge of eye; 2 rows of small, subequal teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw; caudal fin convex; lateral body scales distinctly ctenoid, with auxiliary scales in fish larger than 30 cm SL; pyloric caeca 12, in 3 bundles (Ref. 089707).

Vibriosis Disease. Bacterial diseases

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 16; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8

Occurs in rocky areas as well as on sandy-mud bottoms. Juveniles are common in tidepools.

Occurs in rocky areas as well as on sandy-mud bottoms. Juveniles are common in tide pools. In captivity, the species is aggressive, chasing and biting other species, especially members of its own species. Protogynous hermaphrodite (Ref. 5222). Artificial fertilization of eggs was done and the longest survival time for the larvae was 15 days (Ref. 6780). In Hong Kong live fish markets (Ref. 27253).

fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial