Plectropomus leopardus

(Lacepede, 1802)

Leopard Coral Grouper

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Southern Japan to Queensland, Australia, and east to New Caledonia and Fiji.

Size: 40 inches (100 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits coral rich lagoons and mid-shelf reefs and is usually found in depths between 3 to 300 feet (1 – 90 m) where it feeds on smaller fishes and crustaceans.

General Husbandry: Usually has a dull reddish body with numerous small spots. Not purposely collected for the trade.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Percoidei

Family: Serranidae

Subfamily: Epinephelinae

Genus: Plectropomus

FYI: Shown here for identification only.

Human food and gamefish in the local areas.

Pretty as a juvenile (red with blue spots), yet unsuitable for most home aquariums because it grows quickly to a ‘large’ adult!