Epinephelus Bloch, 1793
Moderate to large or very large fishes. Opercle with 3 spines; lower preopercular edge smooth. Mandible prominent; maxillae more or less scaly; supramaxillae present. Large canines; on both jaws teeth of inner series depressible. Dorsal fin single IX-XI + 13-20; anal fin III + 7-10; caudal fin rounded, marginate or truncate. Scales ctenoid, small, embedded in thick skin, often cycloid on head; lateral line of about 70-140 scales. Colours often bright.
Benthic on the shelf and upper slope in all tropical and subtropical seas; many species on reefs. Strictly benthic, in close contact with bottom for food and shelter. Usually solitary and sedentary. Voracious predators feeding on fishes and invertebrates, chiefly crustaceans. Protogyny very frequent, perhaps general. Eggs and larvae pelagic. Young stages with elongate preopercular spines and some fin rays. Appreciated as food and often commercially important.
Species more than 100 (several subgenera); in Clofnam area 6.
Recent revision: C. L. Smith (1971—American species).
Species of this genus in the program:
Epinephelus aeneus
Epinephelus alexandrinus
Epinephelus caninus
Epinephelus guaza
Epinephelus haifensis
Epinephelus malabaricus