Relevant synonyms None Misidentification None Meristic formula D, XI + 16-18; A, III + 8; P, 17-19; V, I + 5; LL, 48-53; GR, 23-25  photo : D.Golani

SHORT DESCRIPTION Body moderately elongated. Large head (25-34% in SL) with pointed snout. Large mouth, its jaws reach back to the vertical of posterior edge of eye. Large canine teeth at the anterior of both jaws, following by rows of small teeth. Small teeth on the vomer and palatine patches. Preoperculum edge finely serrated with 3-5 large serrae at the angle. Three flat spines at the upper posterior operculum. First gill arch without bony plates. Long continous dorsal fin. Anal fin round or pointed. Both pectoral and pelvic fins pointed. Caudal fin emarginated. color : Body background beige with close-set small dark brown spots covering also the fins. Belly without spots. size : 30-60 cm (max 70 cm) DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS Epinepelus coioides, Epinephelus marginatus – 4-5 wide dark bars on the body and small bony plates on side of the first gill arch. Epinephelus areolatus - The spots on the body sub-equal to eye diameter Other serranids – different color pattern. BIOLOGY / ECOLOGY Feeds, like other serranids on fish and large invertebrates. Protogynous hermaphrodite, female mature at 25 cm and change to male at 34-56 cm. Eggs and larvae planktonic. habitat : Inhabits rocky substrate or coral reef to depth of 280 m.

1st MEDITERRANEAN RECORD Israel (2015) (Golani et al 2015). DISTRIBUTION Worldwide : Red Sea endemic Mediterranean : Israel ESTABLISHMENT SUCCESS Rare, only one specimen was collected in Israel.   MODE OF INTRODUCTION Via the Suez Canal IMPORTANCE TO HUMANS None in the Mediterranean.

KEY REFERENCES Golani, D., Askarov, G. and Dashevsky, Y. 2015. First record of the Red Sea spotted grouper, Epinephelus geoffroyi (Serranidae) in the Mediterranean. BioInvasion Records 4(2), 143-145. ‏ Heemstra, P. C. and Randall, J. E., 1993. Groupers of the world (Family Serranidae Subfamily Epinephelinae). FAO Fisheries Synopsis 125 Randall, J.E. and Heemstra, P.C. 1991. Revision of the Indo-Pacific groupers (Perciformes: Serranidae: Epinephelinae), with description of five new species. Indo-Pacific Fishes 20, 1-322. FEEDBACK / COMMENTS TO AUTHORS

Last update of the species sheet : January 2017 © ciesm 2001