-EnglishName: Eightbargrouper

• Local Name : Kalhu faana
• Size : Max. 80 cm
• Family: Order : Specimen
• Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 11 spines and 14-15 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 9 rays. Pectoral fin with 18-19 rays. Body depth 2.2-2.7 in standard length. Preopercle angular, the serrae at angle enlarged. Upper edge of operculum, dorsal head profile convex. Maxilla reaches to or rear half of eye. Pelvic fins sub- equal to or larger than pectoral fin. Caudal fin rounded.
  Colour: Brown with 8 broad dark brown bars; first on nape, second at dorsal fin origin, covering first 2 dorsal spines. Pelvic fins, distal half of soft dorsal and anal fins dark brown. Large individuals almost black.
• Habitat and Biology: Occurs on deep reefs from depths of 150 to 300 m.
• Distribution: Indo-West Pacific.
• Remarks: Epinephelus octofasciatus was previously misidentified as E. septemfasciatus in the Catalogue of Fishes of the Maldives. Vol. 3, page 422. The specimen recorded there was apparently the first record of this species from the Maldives and was caught by longline in 170 m near K. Giraavaru in October 1988 by R. V. ‘Farumas’.