Epinephelus gabriellae Randall & Heemstra 1991

Distinguished by the following characteristics: head and body pale brownish gray, densely covered with tiny close-set dark orange-brown spots; median and paired fins spotted like body; caudal, soft dorsal and anal fins with white edge and a submarginal blackish zone; depth of body 3.2-3.6 times in SL; head length 2.4-2.6 times in SL; flat to slightly convex interorbital area, dorsal head profile with slight indentation above nostrils; preopercular angular, with enlarged serrae at the angle and a shallow notch just above the angle; upper edge of operculum straight; posterior nostril slightly larger than anterior; maxilla reaches vertical at rear edge of eye; ventral edge of maxilla with a low step-like bend one orbit diameter from rear end of bone; 2 rows of teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw; lateral body scales ctenoid, with numerous auxiliary scales; pyloric caeca about 76 (Ref. 89707).

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 15; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8

Found over rocky bottoms (Ref. 30573); reef-associated species. Juveniles/subadults inhabits shallow waters with high coral cover. Feeds on fishes and invertebrates (Ref. 89707). Minimum depth from Ref. 58018.

fisheries: minor commercial; price category: very high; price reliability: questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this genus