Harlequin Hind also known as Harlequin Grouper, Harlequin Cod, Harlequin Rockcod, or Blue-lined Grouper, is a type of marine fish.
It belongs to the same family as anthias and sea basses called Serranidae.
This particular fish is found around offshore islands in the Indo-Pacific region. Sometimes, it appears in the aquarium trade.
The distribution of this fish is sporadic and only occurs at oceanic islands.
It prefers clear waters near steep drop-offs and is rarely seen at depths less than 30 meters (98 feet).
This fish has been found at depths up to 120 meters (394 feet) and may even live deeper.
It likes to stay in caves and crevices while swimming upside-down against cave roofs or archways.
The diet of harlequin hind consists of other fishes and crustaceans. It also prefers to live alone and is not reef-safe.
You can check out what this fish looks like over here.
Harlequin Hind Interesting Facts
- Harlequin hind, a marine fish in the Serranidae family, lives in caves and crevices near oceanic islands in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Prefers clear waters near steep drop-offs; found at depths of 30 meters (98 feet) to 120 meters (394 feet).
- Known for swimming upside-down against cave roofs or archways; the diet consists of fishes and crustaceans.
- Grows up to 17.0 inches (43.0 centimeters) in length, has bright blue stripes on yellow to greenish-yellow body, and rough scales.
Harlequin Hind Habitat
Harlequin hind is found in the Indo-Pacific region. Its habitat includes scattered oceanic islands from the Comoros to the Line Islands.
However, it’s not found in places like the Red Sea, East Africa coast, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Guinea, or larger Indonesian islands.
This marine fish lives near reefs and doesn’t migrate. It usually dwells at depths of 25 to 120 meters (82 to 394 feet), but can sometimes be found as shallow as 10 meters (33 feet).
Harlequin hind thrives in tropical waters ranging from 28°N to 24°S latitude and between 46°E to 156°W longitude.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Harlequin Hind Physical Characteristics
Size: 17.0 inches (43.0 centimeters)
Harlequin hind grows up to 17.0 inches (43.0 centimeters) in length. It has 9 dorsal spines and 14 to 16 dorsal soft rays, as well as 3 anal spines and 8 to 9 anal soft rays.
Its body color ranges from yellow to greenish-yellow with bright blue stripes. The scales on its body are rough, even on the abdomen area.
The pelvic fins are about half the length of its head. The body depth is roughly 3 times smaller than its total length.
Its tail fin is either flat or slightly indented. This fish’s eye size is similar to the space between its eyes and about twice as large as the front part of its eye socket.
The edge around its gill cover has fine serrations with one to three larger serrations at the bottom edge. Other gill covers also have fine serrations.
Finally, this species has pectoral fins that are almost equal in length to their pelvic fins, while each pectoral fin measures about half the head length.
Harlequin Hind Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Serranidae |
| Genus: | Cephalopholis |
| Scientific Name: | Cephalopholis polleni |
| Also Known As: | Harlequin Hind, Harlequin Grouper, Harlequin Cod, Harlequin Rockcod or Blue-Lined Grouper |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |