Smallscale Grouper

Distinguished by the following characteristics: head, body and fins pale, covered with numerous small close-set dark brown spots; spots on fins and dorsal parts of head and body smaller and closer together compared to those on the sides and ventrally; rear edge of caudal fin with white line and a row of blackish brown spots; presence of dark maxillary streak; body depth contained 2.6-3.3 times in SL; body width 1.8-2.4 times in depth; head length 2.5-2.8 times in SL; slightly convex interorbital, dorsal head profile almost straight; angular preopercle, with indentation above the angle and enlarged serrae below the indentation; straight upper edge of operculum; posterior nostrils slightly larger than anterior ones; maxilla reaches to below rear half of eye; front of jaws with a pair of small fixed canines; 2 rows of teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw, inner ones twice length of outer teeth, pyloric caeca 28-34 (Ref. 89707).

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16 - 17; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8

Known from rocky areas adjacent to soft bottoms in depths 10-155 m (Ref. 89707). In the Hong Kong live fish markets (Ref. 27253).

fisheries: commercial