Epinephelus cyanopodus has a compressed body which has a standard length which is 2.4 to 2.7 times its depth with a steep dorsal profile to the head and a noticeably convex area between the eyes.

[3] This species is overall greyish in colour and is covered in irregular small dark dots with fewer larger black spots.

[4] Epinephelus cyanopodus is normally found near isolated coral heads in lagoons or bays, although it has also been collected in outer reefs.

This is a predatory species which feeds mainly on fishes and crustaceans which live in the sand like snake eels and box crabs.

[1] Epinephelus cyanopodus is a species which is subjected to fishing by both commercial and recreational fisheries in parts of its range.