African hind (Cephalopholis taeniops)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Cephalopholis taeniops
- Common name
- African hind
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Epinephelidae
- Genus
- Cephalopholis
- Size
- 25–50 cm
- Depth
- 10–200 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef, coralligenous
- Behaviours
- solitary, predator
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean
Description
Cephalopholis taeniops reaches 50 cm. Grouper (Serranidae) tropical East Atlantic with compressed body uniformly bright red-orange covered in distinctive small cobalt-blue spots (hence taeniops, banded eyes), darker head. Lives from 10 to 200 m on rocky drop-offs and coralligenous bottoms from Senegal to Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Gulf of Guinea and Angola, with occasional extension to Madeira and Canary Islands. Predator of small fish and crustaceans. Iconic species of Cape Verde diving. Macro photo subject for its vivid colors, regular observation at Sal and Boa Vista dive sites.
Photo of African hind
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the African hind?
- African hind (Cephalopholis taeniops) reaches 25–50 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the African hind?
- African hind is found between 10–200 m deep.
- Is the African hind dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the African hind?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the African hind?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean.
Other species in the genus Cephalopholis
- Cephalopholis fulva - Coney
- Cephalopholis cruentata - Graysby
- Cephalopholis nigri - Niger hind
- Cephalopholis miniata - Coral grouper
- Cephalopholis argus - Peacock grouper
- Cephalopholis panamensis - Panama Grouper
Other species in the family Epinephelidae
- Epinephelus marginatus - Dusky grouper
- Epinephelus striatus - Nassau grouper
- Mycteroperca tigris - Tiger grouper
- Epinephelus fasciatus - Blacktip grouper
- Mycteroperca venenosa - Yellowfin grouper
- Epinephelus costae - Golden grouper
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 279154)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2388910)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia