Description:

Dorsal spines 11; Dorsal soft rays 14-16; Anal spines 3; Anal soft rays: 8.

Very large, heavy set grouper. Caudal fin is rounded.

Colour. Adults are dark olive green-brown to dark grey colouration with variable amount of grey blotches. Fins yellow with black spots, fins becoming darker in larger individuals. 
Juveniles are yellow with broad dark bars and irregular dark spots on the fins. 

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range 129 cm -? Max Length: 270 cm TL.

Largest member of the Grouper family and largest of all coral reef dwelling teleosts.

Solitary, coral reef associated, species found in caves or wrecks, in lagoons and seaward reefs 1-200 m depth, also in estuaries. Juveniles secretive in reefs and rarely seen. 
Considered rare throughout its range. Feeds on spiny lobsters, fishes, including small sharks and rays, and juvenile sea turtles and crustaceans. 
 

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the hand line fishery and “Drag” fishery, but is a rare component of the catch. “Drag” is a 
local form of short, anchored longline.

Craig M.T. et al. (2011). Groupers of the World A Field and Market Guide. ISBN: 979-1-920033-11-8
Fennessy, S. et al. (2018). Epinephelus lanceolatus. The IUCN Red List 2018: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T7858A100465809.en. (03/03/19).
Fishes of Australia: http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/4672#summary (07/08/16)
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2018). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.de/summary/epinephelus-lanceolatus (07/08/18). 
Nevill, J. (2013). A Species Identification Guide for Commonly Caught Fish in the Seychelles Near-Shore Artisanal Fishery.

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Epinephelus lanceolatus, Giant grouper. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/epinephelus-lanceolatus-bloch-1790/ (edited 27/07/22).