Epinephelus malabaricus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Body is elongate with body depth 3.0 to 3.7 in standard length (for fish of 15 to 69 cm standard length). The interorbital area is flat or slightly convex and the preopercle is sub-angular, with enlarged serrae at the angle. The maxilla extends past the rear edge of the orbit. There are 8-11 gill rakers on the upper limb and 14-18 on the lower limb. Dorsal fin has 11 spines and 14-16 rays, the third to fifth spines are slightly longer than posterior spines. The anal fin has 3 spines and 8 rays, the third spine is usually the longest. The pectoral fin has 18-20 rays. The caudal fin is rounded.