A reef fish that hides in rocky crevices, usually sold live from tanks rather than chilled, in kinds such as red and spotted grouper. Restaurants steam it whole, Cantonese style.
石斑鱼 is prized in Cantonese cuisine, typically prepared 清蒸 (clear-steamed) with ginger and scallion. The Portuguese loanword 'garoupa' (and English 'grouper') comes from the same fish family found in Macau and Hong Kong waters.