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Bluespot cod (Cephalopholis cyanostigma) — Serranidae

Bluespot cod

Cephalopholis cyanostigma
Family: Serranidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bluespot cod (Cephalopholis cyanostigma) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 55 cm.

Length
55 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Pacific; shallow sheltered coastal reefs and seagrass.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The bluespotted hind is a grouper (Epinephelidae) from the western Pacific. The species has a stocky, red-brown body densely studded with small blue spots. It inhabits shallow, protected coastal reefs, seagrass beds and coral-rich areas. As an ambush hunter it feeds on crustaceans and small fishes, striking suddenly from a hiding place. It is a food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bluespot cod?

The Bluespot cod has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Red-brown with dense small blue spots; ambush predator of shallow sheltered reefs.

Where does the Bluespot cod live?

The Bluespot cod lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Pacific; shallow sheltered coastal reefs and seagrass.

How big does the Bluespot cod get?

The Bluespot cod grows to a maximum of about 55 cm.

Is the Bluespot cod dangerous to humans?

No, the Bluespot cod is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Bluespot cod edible?

Yes, the Bluespot cod is commonly eaten.

More photos

Bluespot cod (Cephalopholis cyanostigma) — Serranidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) cml1995, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bluespot cod (Cephalopholis cyanostigma) — Serranidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Rickard Zerpe (CC BY 2.0)
Bluespot cod (Cephalopholis cyanostigma) — Serranidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) craigjhowe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bluespot cod (Cephalopholis cyanostigma) — Serranidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Amada44 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bluespot cod verified
Scientific name
Cephalopholis cyanostigma
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Blue-spotted grouper; Bluespotted hind; Blue-spotted hind; Blue-spotted rock cod; Bluespotted rockcod; Blue-spotted rockcod; Blue-spotted rock-cod; Blue-spotted rockrod; Coral cod verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
55.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Western Pacific; shallow sheltered coastal reefs and seagrass. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Crustaceans and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Red-brown with dense small blue spots; ambush predator of shallow sheltered reefs. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Cephalopholis

More from the family Serranidae

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