Taksonomi
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Epinephelidae
Genus: Plectropomus
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Leopard Coral Grouper
Leopard Coral Grouper
Plectropomus leopardus
Plectropomus leopardus
Habitat & Distribution : Lagoon or mid-shelf reef, depths of 3 - 100 m, western Pacific ocean
Diet: Fish, crustaceans, squids
Size : Up to 120 cm; 23,6 kg
Lifespan: 16 years
Description
The Leopard Coral Grouper has an olive green to reddish brown or orange-red body with blue spots on its upper flank and a blue ring around each of its eyes.
Behavior
Commonly found in depths of 3 - 100 m, hiding between reef crevices and under reef ledges. Juveniles feed on crustaceans, while adults prefer fish/are piscivores. The leopard coral grouper is able to change its body colors and patterns. When hunting, it will appear to have a more mottled body, helping it blend into the environment in order to stalk and ambush its unknowing prey.
Reproduction
Protogynous hermaphrodites, they start out as females before developing into males at some point of their lives (around the length of 23 - 62 cm). When about to mate, the male will approach the female, tilting its body to the side and shake itself while shaking its head to court the female.
Communication & Perception
They use body language or gestures and coloration change to communicate with fellow groupers or other animals. Like many other fish, they use sight, smell and taste to find prey and navigate.
Predator
Sharks and barracudas
Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN Red List; 2018)
Fun Fact
In the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, this fish has been seen engaging in cooperative hunting with the blue octopus (Octopus cyanea). The grouper will point to the location of the prey with its head, and the octopus will use its long tentacles to capture the prey in hard-to-reach crevices. If the prey flees, the speedy swimming grouper can catch it. Aside from the octopus, this grouper has also been seen working with the giant moray (Gymnothorax javanicus) and the humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus).
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