Starry Grouper

Epinephelus labriformis has a robust and compressed body which has a standard length that is 2.7 to 3.1 times its depth. The intraorbital region is flat. The finely serrated preopercle is rounded with the serrations on the lower edge being slightly enlarged. The upper edge of the gill cover is slightly convex. There are 11 spines in the dorsal fin and 16-18 soft rays while the anal fin contains 3 spines and 8 soft rays. The caudal fin is rounded. This species has an olive green head and body with a scattering of irregular white spots and blotches. The head and anterior part of the body have red-brown blotches and there is a black saddle mark on upper part of caudal peduncle. The outer margins of the dorsal and anal fins, the upper and lower margins of the caudal fin and outer half of the pectoral fin are red. This species attains a maximum total length of 60 centimetres (24 in).

Epinephelus labriformis is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean from Mexico to Peru including offshore islands Galápagos, Cocos Island, Malpelo and Revillagigedo.