Brown hexagons turn a pale body into a honeycomb that blends into the reef.
- Local names
- Tarao
- Habitat
- Lagoon and reef
About this species
The brown markings fit closely together; some join into short bars. This grouper occupies clear, sheltered lagoon water, reef flats and other reef habitats, often hiding beneath a coral head. It is reported to about 50 m.
Fish and crustaceans form its diet. The French Polynesian account notes that it is avoided as food because of its association with ciguatera.
- Guide des poissons de Tahiti et ses îles, Indo-Pacific Fish conference Tahiti 2017, P. Bachet, T. Zysman, Y. Lefèvre, Au vent des îles
- DORIS - Epinephelus merra
- FishBase - Epinephelus merra
