WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Squaretail Coralgrouper

Plectropomus areolatus

Also known as: Apricot Trout, Cod, Coral Trout, Hind, Leopard Trout, Passionfruit Coral Trout, Passionfriut Trout, Polkadot Cod, Polkadot Coral Trout, Rockcod, Spotted Coral Trout, Squaretail Coral Trout, Squaretail Grouper, Squaretail Leopard Grouper, Trout

VUVulnerableIUCN Red List, 2018
Adult
@fishx6 · Gangehi, Maldives · March 20081 / 7
01

Overview

Found singly, or in schools, along channels and over reef fronts, of lagoons and seaward reefs, rich in coral growth.
They feed exclusively on fish.

Groupers are solitary carnivores that hunt near the bottom usually at dusk. Food is drawn into their mouths by a powerful suction when they open their overly large mouths and then swallowed whole.
Spawning is seasonal and controlled by the moons phase.

02

How to identify

Pattern
spots

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific
  • Country only · 7
LIVES IN

Found singly, or in schools, along channels and over reef fronts, of lagoons and seaward reefs, rich in coral growth.

04

Adult photos 7

05

Discussion

Comments are checked by a moderator before they appear.

No comments yet. Seen one, or got a question about it? Start the discussion.

    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderPerciformes
    5. familyEpinephelidae
    6. genusPlectropomus
    7. speciesPlectropomus areolatus (Rüppell, 1830)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Groupers (Epinephelidae)