Author: (Valenciennes, 1828)
FBname: Brownspotted grouper
Remark: Common names may have to be split accordingly to former synonym <i>japonicus</i> and new species <i>insularis</i>), following distribution (Ref. 123820).
Comments: Found over a wide range of habitats like seagrass beds and outer reef slopes (Ref. 5213), also on mud bottoms.  Solitary (Ref. 90102).  Feed on small fishes and crustaceans (mainly stomatopods and crabs).  Sexual transition from female to male occurs between 35-45 cm, but not all females change sex.  Mature individuals form spawning aggregations (Ref. 55367).  <i>E. chlorostigma</i> is closely related and very similar to <i>E. polylepis</i> and <i>E. gabriellae</i> which seem to replace it in the northwestern Indian Ocean. Solitary (Ref. 90102).