Red-tipped grouper

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-17; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Similar to E. fasciatus, differing primarily by having straighter head profile and longer snout, red rather than black tips on spinous dorsal fin (Ref. 37816). Distinguished by the following characteristics: adults dull yellowish orange to brownish red, each scale on the dorsolateral part of the body with dark greenish grey spot; usually 5 faint dark bares on body, 2nd and 3rd bars extend onto the spinous dorsal fin where they are dark brown; dorsal fin greenish brown, soft rayed part darker than rest of the fin, outer triangular part of interspinous membranes dark red, set off from the rest of the fin by an orange-yellow stripe; dark greenish brown dorsal fin margin of caudal fin; dark red or brown line along base of dorsal fin; narrowly edged orbit, except anteriorly, with dark red; pale blue line adjacent to the red rim of the orbit and completely surrounding eye; body depth contained 2.5-3.1 times in SL; head length 2.4-2.6 times in SL; flat to slightly convex interorbital, dorsal head profile slightly convex; rounded preopercle, finely serrate; sinuous upper edge of operculum; snout length 3.5-3.9 times in HL; subequal anterior and posterior nostrils; maxilla reaches below rear half of eye; 3-4 rows of teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw; pair of short fixed canines at front of both jaws; numerous pyloric caeca (Ref. 89707).