Coral Hind

ID points

• Orange-red ground covered with small blue dots edged in dark
• Tail fin round and broad, with no white rear edge
• Usually rests alone among coral branches

Basics

Family

Serranidae

Length

25–45 cm

Depth

2-150 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs

Distribution

Shallow Indo-Pacific coral reefs

Habitat

Clear shallow coral reefs

Diet

Small fish, crustaceans

Easily confused with

Coral TroutOrange-red ground covered in tiny blue spotsPeacock GrouperDeep brown ground covered in small black-edged blue spotsGrouperLarge head and mouth, with the lower jaw slightly protruding

Fun fact

Bright scarlet all over and speckled with blue dots, the coral hind is one of the showiest groupers on the reef. Like the other groupers it is born female, and some individuals become male later in life.

More in this family

• Anthias
• Barramundi Cod
• Camouflage Grouper
• Giant Grouper
• Leopard Grouper
• Potato Grouper