The banded grouper or yellow grouper (Epinephelus awoara) is a species of fish in the Serranidae family. It is found in China, Disputed Territory, Hong Kong, North Korea, South Korea, Macau, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Its natural habitats are open seas, shallow seas, subtidal aquatic beds, and coral reefs and feeds on shrimp and other fish. It is threatened by habitat loss, pollution, high demand for food and overfishing. It is protected by Cape D'Aguilar Marine Reserve and no-take artificial reefs in Hong Kong but these conservation measures are not enough to support the species.This fish has sharp spines protruding from its back.