Coral Grouper, is also known as the Coral Hind, Coral Rock Cod, Vermillion Seabass, Coral Cod, Coral Trout, or Round-tailed Trout.
This fish is part of the Epinephelinae subfamily in the Serranidae family, which includes anthias and sea basses.
It lives around coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific region.
This fish prefers clear water around coral reefs and can be found more often in exposed areas rather than protected ones.
Its diet consists mostly of other fish (80%, mainly Pseudanthias squamipinnis) and crustaceans.
Coral grouper fish form groups with one dominant male and 2 to 12 females.
They have territories up to 475 square meters that are divided into smaller parts defended by individual females.
This species is generally common, but its compatibility in reef tanks is unknown.
Coral Grouper Interesting Facts
- Coral grouper, scientifically known as Cephalopholis miniata, lives around coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific region and is found at depths of 2 to 150 meters.
- This fish’s diet mostly consists of other fish (80%) and crustaceans.
- It forms groups with one dominant male and multiple females, defending territories up to 475 square meters.
- Coral grouper has a unique appearance with orange-red to reddish-brown coloration and bright blue spots on its head, body, and fins. Young ones are yellow with faint blue spots.
- Some distinct physical features include a partially scaled maxilla, cycloid scales covering the abdomen, a smooth ventral margin on the preopercle, and pelvic fins that don’t reach the anus.
Coral Grouper Habitat
Coral grouper is found in the Indo-Pacific region. Its habitat ranges from the Red Sea to Durban, South Africa, and eastward to the Line Islands.
This includes most islands in the Indian and west-central Pacific Oceans. However, it’s not found in the Persian Gulf or Gulf of Oman.
This marine fish lives near coral reefs and doesn’t migrate. It can be found at depths of 2 to 150 meters.
Coral grouper thrives in tropical areas, specifically between 35°N to 32°S latitude and 30°E to 156°W longitude.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Coral Grouper Physical Characteristics
Size: 19.7 inches (50.0 centimeters)
Coral grouper can grow up to a maximum of 50 cm (19.7 inches) long. This fish has 9 dorsal spines and 14 to 15 dorsal soft rays.
It also has 3 anal spines and 8 to 9 anal soft rays. The orange-red to reddish-brown color of this fish features many bright blue spots on its head, body, and fins.
The caudal fin and other soft areas have a narrow blue margin with a blackish line underneath it.
The pectoral fins are orange-yellow, while the pelvic fins are orange-red. This fish can change its color pattern to display irregular olive-colored bars.
Young coral grouper fish is yellow with faint blue spots.
The body depth of this fish is between 2.65 to 3.05 times its standard length (SL), while the head’s length is about 2.4 to 2.65 times SL.
This fish has several unique physical characteristics like scales on the lateral line ranging from 47 to 55, partially scaled maxilla, cycloid scales covering the abdomen, gill rakers between 20 to 24, smooth preopercle’s ventral margin, long dorsal spines that measure up to 3 times smaller than the head length, pectoral fins are about half of head length or slightly longer, and pelvic fins that don’t reach the anus, measuring around twice as short as head lengths or less.
Coral Grouper Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Serranidae |
| Genus: | Cephalopholis |
| Scientific Name: | Cephalopholis miniata |
| Also Known As: | Coral Grouper, Coral Hind, Coral Rock Cod, Vermillion Seabass, Coral Cod, Coral Trout, Round-tailed Trout |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |