Description:

Dorsal spines: 11; Dorsal rays: 18-19; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 9-10.

Dorsal profile over eye slightly concave and then steep giving distinctive humped anteriodorsal profile. Preopercle serrate, but the serrae are covered by skin. Opercular 
spines not readily visible. Scales on body smooth and mostly covered by skin. Dorsal fin origin over the opercle. Dorsal fin membranes not incised between spines. Caudal fin 
rounded or truncate with rounded corners.

Colour. Brown body and head, paler ventrally. Body and fins with irregular pale blotches and numerous small round dark spots. In juveniles the brown spots are often 
horizontally elongate and may form lines.
 

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max length : 85.0 cm. 
 

Inhabits coral or rocky reefs often near caves (depth 1-15 m). Piscivore. Rare species, not known whether it forms spawning aggregations but has been reported to shoal in 
small groups of 8 or fewer individuals.

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the fish trap fishery and presumably the hand line fishery, but is a very rare component 
of the catch.  

Barreiros, J. (2018). Dermatolepis striolata. The IUCN Red List 2018: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T44672A100459401.en. (03/01/19)
Craig, M.T. et al. (2011). Groupers of the World - a field and market guide. NISC (Pty) Ltd, South Africa. ISBN: 978-1-920033-11-8
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2019). FishBase. http://www.fishbase.se/summary/6458 (03/01/19).
Heemstra, P.C. & J.E. Randall. (1993). FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 16. Groupers of the world (family Serranidae, subfamily Epinephelinae). An annotated and illustrated 
catalogue of the grouper, rockcod, hind, coral grouper and lyretail species known to date. Rome: FAO. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(16):382 p.

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Dermatolepis striolata, Smooth grouper. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/dermatolepis-striolata-playfair-1867/ (revised 25/07/22).