Spotted Soapfish is also known as the Leaflip Grouper or Bearded Soapfish. It’s a marine fish related to groupers and belongs to the Serranidae family.
Spotted soapfish primarily inhabit the western Indo-Pacific region.
It has an irregular distribution and likes specific habitats, such as large coral heads on slopes with moderate currents.
Adult spotted soapfish usually live in depths greater than 20 meters, while younger ones are found in shallow lagoons or protected bays.
This fish is not safe for reef tanks.
Spotted Soapfish Interesting Facts
- Spotted soapfish is native to the Indo-Pacific region and thrives in tropical waters between latitudes 32°N and 23°S.
- It lives in reef environments at depths of 10 to 216 meters (33 to 708 feet), with adults found deeper than younger ones.
- This fish can grow up to 13.8 inches (35.0 centimeters) long and has a distinct appearance with white spots on a grey background and clear fins.
- Notable features include a fleshy barbel at its chin tip and short spines along the rear edge of the preopercle bone.
Spotted Soapfish Habitat
Spotted soapfish is native to the Indo-Pacific region. Its range stretches from Comoros to the Line, Marquesan, and Society Islands.
It’s also found as far north as southern Japan and south to New Caledonia.
Interestingly, this species has recently been discovered in southern Natal, South Africa.
This marine fish typically lives in reef environments at depths of 10 to 216 meters (33 to 708 feet), although they are most commonly found between 10 to 150 meters (33 to 492 feet) deep.
Spotted soapfish thrives in tropical waters between latitudes of 32°N and 23°S.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Spotted Soapfish Physical Characteristics
Size: 13.8 inches (35.0 centimeters)
Spotted soapfish can grow up to 13.8 inches (35.0 centimeters) long. It has 7 dorsal spines, 12 to 13 dorsal soft rays, 3 anal spines, and 8 anal soft rays.
As the fish matures, its large white spots from its larval stage remain but are joined by smaller white spots on a grey background.
Its fins stay clear throughout its life.
This fish has a body depth of about 2.2 to 2.7 times its standard length and features a rounded caudal fin.
It also has a fleshy barbel at the tip of its chin and short spines along the rear edge of the preopercle bone (near the gill cover).
Spotted Soapfish Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Serranidae |
| Genus: | Pogonoperca |
| Scientific Name: | Pogonoperca punctata |
| Also Known As: | Spotted Soapfish, Bearded Soapfish, Leaflip Grouper |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |