There is also a xanthic colour phase in which the entire body bright yellow-orange, occasionally with few scattered black spots.

This species attains a total length of 86 centimetres (34 in) and a maximum published weight of 9.6 kilograms (21 lb).

[1] Mycteroperca rosacea occurs in rocky areas in shallow water[2] with a depth range of 1 to 100 m (3 to 328 ft).

[2] It is thought to be a protogynous hermaphrodite with sexually mature females changing sex to become males later in life.

By contrast La Niña decreases the water temperature and recruitment of leopard groupers peaks.