The eating qualities of this species are greatly improved if they are killed immediately by iki jime or a firm knock to the head before placing them in an ice slurry after bleeding.
- Adults light grey with scattered large blackish blotches on sides, white on belly.
- Juveniles have conspicuous alternating black and white stripes, and yellowish on head and belly. The stripes eventually break up into spots that disappear in adults, which bear little resemblance to the young.
- This species occurs in tropical waters of the Indo-West and Central Pacific. In Australia it is found from the central coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north, and as far south as the central coast of New South Wales.
- Found in coastal waters and coral reefs down to depths of around 80 meters on muddy or silty substrates. Juveniles are found in weedy areas.
- Reportedly ciguatoxic in some areas.
Fish Size Common Length:
35-50 cm, maximum size around 100 cm and 8 kg.