Blacktip Grouper

The standard length of the blacktip grouper is around 2.8 to 3.3 times its depth. The area between the eyes is flat but the dorsal profile of the head is convex. The rounded preopercle has a finely serrated rear margin, with the lowest serrations slightly enlarged. The upper edge of the gill cover is straight. The dorsal fin contains 11 spines and 15-17 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays. The membranes between the dorsal-fin spines are deeply indented. The caudal fin is moderately rounded. There are 49-75 scales in the lateral line. This species attains a maximum total length of 40 cm (16 in), although a more common length is around 22 cm (8.7 in). The maximum published weight is 2.0 kg (4.4 lb).

The blacktip grouper has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution. Its range extends from the Red Sea and the Eastern Cape in South Africa to the Pitcairn Islands longitudinally, and from southern Japan and Korea to New Caledonia and Australia latitudinally. In particular, it is found around Madagascar, Mascarenes, Comoros and the Seychelles. In Australia, it occurs on the west coast, around the tropical coastline in the north, and as far south as Port Hacking in New South Wales. It can also be found on reefs in the Coral Sea, around Christmas Island and around Elizabeth Reef and Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea. A single record was reported in 2012 from the eastern Mediterranean Sea, off Lebanon.

In the Red Sea, the blacktip grouper is fished by the Bedouin; it is also consumed in China. It has been associated with ciguatera poisoning.