see text Belonoperca is a genus of marine ray-finned fish, related to the groupers and included in the subfamily Epinephelinae, part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses.

The species within Belonoperca are elongated, predatory fish[1] that produce the toxin grammistin in the mucus on their skin.

Other members of the tribe Diploprionini have more dorsal fin rays than the species of Belonoperca.

They also differ from related fishes in the arrangement of the spines and rays in the anal fin.

Bean, 1930 Baldwin & Smith, 1998 The soapfishes in the genus Belonoperca are sometimes found in the aquarium trade.