Epinephelus clippertonensis Allen & Robertson, 1999
Clipperton grouper
Body robust, compressed; end of top jaw exposed; operculum edge with 3 flat spines; preoperculum without spines; 1 dorsal fin with XI spines, 15-16 rays, spines III-IV longest; anal fin with III spines; 15-16 dorsal rays; 8 anal rays; pectoral rays 18-20, usually 19, rarely 18; tail rounded; lateral line complete, ending at tail base, smoothly arched; scales rough, relatively small: 48-51 scales on lateral line, 46-50 around tail base, and 16-18 above the lateral line, often a few small imbedded scales on front of maxillary.
Pale grey to light grey-brown with white spots and flecks on head and body; large fish (males?) can switch to a bicolored pattern by darkening the rear half and lightening the front half of the body. Juveniles with dense small dark spots.
Size: 61 cm.
Habitat: coral reef.
Depth: 1-100 m.
An island endemic found at Clipperton, the Revillagigedos and Rocas Alijos, off southern Baja.
