Common name: Coral grouper

Scientific name: Cephalopholis miniata (Forsskål, 1775)
Coral Grouper, Coral Rock Cod, Cephalopholis miniata, Coral Reef, North Ari Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean, AsiaJuwelen-Zackenbarsch (Cephalopholis miniata)
Coral hind grouper (Cephalopholis miniata)  in the aquarium.
Colorful Red Coral Grouper Waikiki Oahu Hawaii

General information

The Coral Hind, scientifically known as Cephalopholis miniata, is a vibrant and popular marine fish among aquarists. Its striking coloration, with a bright red to orange body and blue spots, makes it a standout in any aquarium. This species is part of the Serranidae family, which includes groupers and sea basses.

Often found in the wild on coral reefs, the Coral Hind is a robust predator, feeding on smaller fish and crustaceans. Its adaptability to aquarium life and relatively peaceful nature towards other large fish make it a favored choice for fish-only or larger reef aquariums.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
300 liter (79 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.020 to 1.026
Temperature
22 to 28 °C (72 to 82 °F)
Acidity
pH 7.8 to 8.4
Average size
40 cm (1′4″)
Care level
Moderate to easy Needs hiding spots
Diet
Carnivore Meaty foods, likes shrimp
Social
Solo Territorial, best kept alone
Reefsafe
No May eat small fish/inverts
Aggression
Semi aggresive Aggressive, especially when mature
Captive bred
No
Conservation statusSource: IUCN Red List
ExtinctThreatenedLeastConcern

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Chordates
    Chordata
  3. Class
    Ray-finned Fishes
    Actinopterygii
  4. Order
    Perch-like Fishes
    Perciformes
  5. Family
    Groupers
    Serranidae
  6. Genus
    Grouper
    Cephalopholis
  7. Species
    Coral grouper
    Cephalopholis miniata (Forsskål, 1775)
  8. Synonyms
    Cephalopholis boninius Jordan & Thompson, 1914
    Cephalopholis formosanus Tanaka, 1911
    Cephalopholis maculatus Seale & Bean, 1907
    Cephalopolis miniatus (Forsskål, 1775)
    Epinephelus miniatus (Forsskål, 1775)
    Perca miniata Forsskål, 1775
    Perca miniata nadjil Walbaum, 1792
    Perca miniatus irrorata Forster in Bloch & Schneider, 1801
    Pomacentrus burdi Lacepède, 1802
    Serranus cyanostigmatoides Bleeker, 1849
    Serranus miniatus (Forsskål, 1775)
    Serranus perguttatus De Vis, 1884

Care

Coral Hinds require a spacious tank to accommodate their size, which can reach up to 40 centimeters (16 inches) in length. They need plenty of hiding places and room to swim. A varied diet of meaty foods such as shrimp, squid, and fish flesh is essential for their health. It's important to note that they may prey on smaller tank mates, so careful selection of companions is crucial.

Reproduction

In the wild, Cephalopholis miniata are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they start life as females and can change to males as they mature. Breeding in captivity is rare, but environmental stability and a well-managed tank can encourage spawning behavior.

Habitat

Coral Hinds are found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific. They prefer reef environments, often seen in lagoons and on outer reef slopes, typically at depths ranging from 2 to 150 meters.