Author: (Fabricius, 1775)
FBname: Redmouth grouper
Comments: Adults are found in coastal reefs and lagoons, often on silty habitat (Ref. 48635), in or near caves and holes in the reef. They feed mainly on small fishes (including <i>Pempheris</i> sp.), also on stomatopods (<i>Pseudosquilla</i> sp.) (Ref. 6448); and crustaceans (Ref. 37816). Preliminary data indicate that mature individuals spawn at any time of the year and  mature (females?) at about 35 cm SL (Ref. 6448). Small juveniles mimic <i>Centropyge vrolikii</i> (Ref. 8631), and <i>C. nox</i> until they outgrow their model in size (Ref. 48635). Taken as part of the live reef food fish trade centered in China and In Hong Kong and are occasionally found in markets (Ref. 89707). They are caught with hook-and-line, spear, and probably in traps (Ref. 39231).