SERRANIDAE Epinephelus sexfasciatus, 10.8 cm SL (photo by Seishi Kimura) Epinephelus sexfasciatus (Valenciennes, 1828) Sixbar Grouper D XI, 14-16; A III, 8-9; P1 17-19; LLp 46-51; GR 7-8 + 13-15. Body depth 2.7-3.2 in SL; the anterodorsal head profile convex; preopercle with 2-4 greatly enlarged serrae at angle. Caudal fin rounded; pectoral fins not fleshy; pelvic fins not reaching to anus. Scales on body ctenoid except anterodorsally above lateral line, on thorax, and abdomen; maxilla naked. Color: head and body pale brownish gray, with 5 dark brown bars on the body and 1 on nape; scattered pale spots may be present on body, and some faint small brown spots are often visible on the edges of the dark bars; soft dorsal, caudal, and anal fins with dark brown spots, pectoral fins grayish or dusky orange-red; jaws and ventral parts of the head sometimes pale reddish brown. Size: maximum length about 28 cm. Distribution: western Pacific: Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Arafura Sea and Australia. Remarks: common on silty sand or mud bottoms.(Ukkrit Satapoomin)