noun
humpback grouper; panther grouper
A species of marine fish (Chromileptes altivelis) known for its distinctive humpbacked appearance and spotted pattern.
サラサハタは沖縄の海で見られる美しい魚だ。
The humpback grouper is a beautiful fish found in the seas of Okinawa.
水族館でサラサハタの幼魚を見た。
I saw a juvenile humpback grouper at the aquarium.
The name サラサハタ combines 更紗 (sarasa, a type of printed cotton fabric with colorful patterns, referring to the fish's spotted body) and 羽太 (hata, meaning grouper). The exact derivation is uncertain, but the name likely describes the fish's patterned appearance.