- EnglishName: Squaretailcoralgrouper
- Local Name : Olhu faana
- Size : Max. 60 cm
- Family: Order : Specimen
- Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 7 or 8 spines and 10-12 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 8 rays. Pectoral fin 15-17 rays. 2-7 developed gill raker on the lower limb. Body depth 2.9-3.9. Body elongate and robust. Inter-orbital area with small embedded scales. Base of spinous part of dorsal fin sub-equal to that of soft-rayed part. Caudal fin truncate to slightly emarginate.
Colour: Grey-brown. Numerous relatively large (equal in size to pupil) dark edged blue spots covering body and median fins. Caudal fin often with blackish sub-marginal band. - Habitat and Biology: Occurs in lagoons and seaward reefs from 2 to 20 m. Feeds mainly on fishes. Distribution: Indo-Pacific.
- Remarks: Plectropomus areolatus can be distinguished from other species of Plectropomus found in Maldives by its truncate caudal fin, and the lack of vertical elongated spots on sides or dark dorsal saddles.