Coral Hind Identification Guide
Recognize the bright red body covered in fine blue spots that identify this compact reef grouper.
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Key identification features
- Bright orange-red to reddish-brown body covered in small, vivid blue spots, each edged with a darker ring
- Blue spotting extends onto all fins, including the rounded tail, giving a uniformly dotted appearance from nose to tail
- Deep, moderately compressed grouper body with a fairly large head and mouth for its size
- Grows to about 16 in (40 cm), smaller than most other reef groupers it shares habitat with
- Overall shape and pattern stay constant through most of life, making it one of the more reliably recognizable small groupers
Common look-alikes
- Leopard coral grouper — larger and more elongated, torpedo-shaped, with more sparsely spaced spotting
- Freckled hind — smaller and pinkish overall, without the coral hind's dense, uniform blue spotting
Where you'll see one
Coral hind lives on shallow coral reefs and lagoons throughout the Indo-Pacific and Red Sea, often seen sheltering near coral heads and cave entrances during the day before emerging to hunt small fish and crustaceans.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell coral hind from leopard coral grouper?
Coral hind is smaller and deeper-bodied with densely packed blue spots on a bright red base, while leopard coral grouper is longer and more torpedo-shaped with more sparsely spaced spotting.
What is the fastest way to confirm coral hind in the field?
A bright red-orange body entirely covered in small blue dots, including on the fins, with no bars, saddles, or blotches, is diagnostic for coral hind.