Brown to red with blotches, blue spots on the head, lower body, the tail has blue spots and a blue edge. Identification can be tricky, as there is a wide variety of similar groupers. They normally stay close to the bottom.
Near threatened on the IUCN Red List. Groupers are commercially fished, and as this species is one of the largest in its genus, it will be a prized target for future efforts.
Western Indian Ocean: only from the northern end of the Red Sea to the Persian Gulf and coast of Pakistan. Records from elsewhere are apparently based on misidentifications of other species, such as Cephalopholis miniata. Found on patchy open reef areas, rich in coral with caves and crevices, in a depth range of 4-55 meters.
It is a monogamous species, the pair jointly defends a common territory of up to 62 square meters.
Up to 35cm.
It feeds on fish (Pomacentrids) and crustaceans.
This species has been recorded to reach an age of 26 years!