Slender grouper

The slender grouper is pale reddish-brown with orange spots which are closer together on the head.

They are also called white-lined cod.

There are five pale silvery-blue lines running down either side.

The lower three lines reach the tail but the upper two lines do not.

The head is 40% of its length and the mouth is large, with the lower jaw longer than the upper jaw.

Juvenile fish have bright blue and red stripes.

Where they live

The slender grouper lives on coral reefs and seaward reef slopes and in lagoons at 50m or deeper.

Size

These fish grow to 65cm.