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Phylum Chordata > Subphylum Vertebrata > fishes > Family Serranidae
Chocolate hind
Cephalopholis boenak

Family Serranidae
updated Oct 2020

Where seen? This rather large fish with chocolate brown bars is sometimes seen on our some of our shores. Surprisingly common near seawalls, also near reefs and rubble, small ones sometimes seen among seagrasses. Elsewhere, this fish is found in silty sheltered waters or reefs, usually alone.

Features: To about 20-30cm, but those seen usually about 10-15cm. Brownish to greenish with dusky vertical bands on the body. A dark spot on the upper edge of the gill cover.

Tanah Merah, Jun 09

Dark spot on upper edge of gill cover.
Tanah Merah, May 10

Small one near seagrasses.
Chek Jawa, Jun 03

Hiding among rocks.
Sisters Islands, May 08
What does it eat? It hunts mainly fishes and crustaceans.

Human uses: In some places they harvested for eating, particularly when larger groupers have been overfished.

Chocolate hind on Singapore shores
On wildsingapore flickr

Other sightings on Singapore shores


Pulau Sekudu, May 09
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on flickr.

Terumbu Semakau, May 23
Photo shared by Kelvin Yong on facebook.

 

Beting Bronok, Jun 18
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on facebook.

Links
References
  • Lieske, Ewald and Robert Myers. 2001. Coral Reef Fishes of the World Periplus Editions. 400pp.
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