Cephalopholis Sonnerati

About: Cephalopholis Sonnerati

Distribution:

Tomato Hind Grouper inhabits the Indo-Pacific region, including the east coast of Africa, Djibouti, Socotra to Durban and the Line Islands. Then North to southern Japan and South to southern Queensland Australia.

Habitat:

The Tomato Hind Grouper prefer deep lagoon reefs and steep outer reef slopes and in coastal areas with rocky substrates. Depth preference and coloration of these solitary fish vary by geographical range significantly. In Madagascar the species can be found at depths from 30-60 feet, while elsewhere those depths can be 90-490 feet.

Spawning:

Females mature, around 11 inches in length and the males at about 13.5 inches. Currently evidence suggests that the Tomato Hind Grouper form spawning aggregations during the warmer summer months.

Prey:

The diet of the Tomato Hind Grouper consists primarily of crustaceans including shrimps, crabs, stomatopods with occasional small fishes.

Predators:

Potential predators of the Tomato Hind Grouper include humans, marine mammals and larger fishes.

Juveniles:

Juveniles are typically found on coral heads or near sponges. They are dark with darker spots and a broad paler blue margin on the caudal fin.

Non-Technical Description:

Body Shape:
Tomato Hind Grouper is a stout, almond-shaped fish with a concave profile that slopes past large eyes to a pointed snout, which gives them a hump-headed appearance.

Coloration:
Tomato Hind Grouper differs in coloration depending on geographic location. In general the body is orange-red to reddish-brown with profuse darker orange or red spots all over its head and body. The membrane between the lower two opercular spines are usually darker than the rest of the head of this fish. The fins are darker than the body, especially the caudal fin and the posterior portion of the dorsal and anal fins.

Technical Description:

Dorsal spines: 9.
Dorsal soft rays: 14-16.
Anal spines: 3.
Anal soft rays: 9.
Longitudinal scale series: 115-134
Lateral-line scales: 66-80
Pectoral fins with 18-20 rays.
Pelvic fins reaching or extending beyond anus. The caudal fin is rounded.

Human Food Source:

Tomato Hind Grouper is widespread and a common species of some commercial importance. They are typically caught on hook and line as well as in traps. The tomato hind is marketed fresh and in Hong Kong it is traded in the live fish markets.