Epinephelus malabaricus, estuary cod

Epinephelus malabaricus Schneider 1801

estuary cod

malabar grouper

Juvenile estuary cod, Epinephelus malabaricus, are strongly banded, the bands become more diffuse with age. Epinephelus malabaricus is densly covered with black spots. This species is similar to, but smaller than, Epinephelus coioides.
Distribution = widespread tropical Indo-Pacofic, in coastal waters and estuaries
Max size = 1m
Family = Serranidae - rockcods and seapearches