Cephalopholis sexmaculata (Sixspot grouper)

Identification

Orange-red with numerous blue spots, often blue lines on the snout, 6 to saddles on the back that extend to the side. Identification can be tricky, since there is a wide variety of similar groupers.

Status

Least concern on the IUCN Red List. This species is fished, but it also occurs in deeper water and tends to hide in crevices and caves. It lives solitary or in small groups.

Habitat

Indo-Pacific: Red Sea to South Africa and eastward to French Polynesia. Reports from Oman, Pakistan, Oman and Sri Lanka have not been confirmed. It is absent from the Persian Gulf. Found in rich coastal to outer reefs, usually along deep walls with caves, rich with invertebrate growth such as large sponges or soft corals. A secretive species. Active nocturnally in shallow water and diurnally in deeper water. It can be found in a depth range of 5-150 meters.

Reproduction

Size

Up to 50cm.

Prey / Predation

It feeds on smaller fish.

Special features

Often seen with cleaner shrimps.