It has a convex interorbital area; angular preopercle which has enlarged serrations at its angle which forms an indistinct lobe; the anterior and posterior nostrils are differing in size.

[1] Mycteroperca acutirostris occurs in the warmer waters of the western Atlantic from Bermuda, the northwestern Gulf of Mexico south to Brazil.

[2][1] Mycteroperca acutirostris occur within reefs, the adults preferring areas with rocky substrates, while the juveniles live among soft corals, turtle grass beds, mangroves and in shallower waters.

The juveniles have also been found in intertidal rocky shores in tide pools in South Brazil[1] Their reproductive behaviour is little known although it is suspected that they are not sexually mature until they reach a weight of 2 kg..

[3] A notable and distinctive behaviour which has been observed is that the fish pretends to be moribund by lying on its side, moving very slightly to attract prey.