Epinephelus clippertonensis Allen & Robertson 1999

Distinguished by the following characteristics: robust and compressed body; exposed end of upper jaw; 3 broad, flat spines on edge of operculum; preoperculum without spines; rounded caudal fin; lateral line complete, ending at base of tail and smoothly arched; rough and relatively small scales; 16-18 scales above the lateral line (Ref. 089707).

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 16; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8

Insular, reed-associated species inhabiting depths to at least 30 m (Ref. 089707).