Spotted Grouper

Epinephelus analogus has a body which has a standard length which is 2.6 to 3.0 times its depth. The preopercle has a shallow notch above its angle, the serrations at the angle are slightly enlarged compared to the other serrations on the margin of the bone. The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 16-18 soft rays while the anal fin contains 3 spines and 8 soft rays. The pectoral fins are markedly shorter than the pelvic fins and the caudal fin is rounded. There are 53-69 scales in the lateral line. The overall colour of the head and body are brown to grey, marked with numerous small reddish-brown spots, these are a similar size to the pupil on the body but are smaller on head and fins. There are four broad faint dark bars on upper half of the flanks which rextend on to the dorsal fin. In juveniles the spots are larger than on adults and the dark bars are better defined. This species has a maximum published total length of 114 centimetres (45 in) and a maximum published weight of 22.3 kilograms (49 lb).

Epinephelus analogus is found in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Its range extends from southern California in the United States to northern Peru. It is also found around the islands of Revillagigedos in Mexico, the Galápagos of Ecuador, Malpelo Island in Colombia and Cocos Island of Costa Rica.