Harlequin hind
📖 Overview
Sporadic distribution . Occurs only at oceanic islands. Inhabits clear waters of steep drop-offs; rarely seen in less than 30 m. It has been taken in depths of 120 m and may occur deeper. Also found in caves and crevices. Often swims upside-down against the roofs of caves or archways . Feeds on fishes and crustaceans . Solitary (Ref 90102).
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9. Characterized by yellow to greenish yellow color; head, body and fins with bright blue stripes; body scales ctenoid, including abdomen; pelvic fins, 1.5-1.9 in head length; greatest depth of body 2.7-3.1 in SL; truncate caudal fin to slightly emarginate ; eye diameter subequal to interorbital width and about twice the depth of the preorbital; rounded preopercle, finely serrate, lower edge with 1-3 broad serrae; subopercle and interopercle finely serrate; maxilla reaches approximately to vertical at rear edge of eye; pectoral fins subequal to pelvic fins, pectoral fin length contained 1.5-1.9 times in HL : fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Harlequin hind is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 10 - 120 m , usually 25 - 120 m . Tropical; 28°N - 24°S, 46°E - 156°W East Africa, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Guinea, and the larger islands of Indonesia.
🌿 Ecology
fishes and crustaceans (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Blue-lined Grouper · Harlequin Cod · Harlequin Grouper · Harlequin Grouper, Harlequin hind · Harlequin Rockcod · Pollenei Grouper · harlequin hind |
| 🌍AFR | Harlekin-klipkabeljou · Harlekyn-klipkabeljou |
| 🌍CES | kanic harlekýn |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Harlekin-havaborre |
| 🇫🇷French | Indienne · Indienne, Vielle arlequin · Mérou arlequin · Vieille arlequin |
| 🌍IND | Kerapu |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Minamihata · ミナミハタ |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Garoupa Arlequim |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Cherna Arlequin · Mero Arlequín |
| 🌍TGL | Lapu-lapu |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 波倫氏九棘鱸 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aethaloperca polleni | Bleeker | 1868 | Synonym |
| Cephalopholis virgatus | Fourmanoir | 1955 | Synonym |
| Epinephelus polleni | Bleeker | 1868 | Synonym |
| Gracila okinawae | Katayama | 1974 | Synonym |
| Gracila polleni | Bleeker | 1868 | Synonym |
| Gracilia polleni | Bleeker | 1868 | Synonym |
| Plectropoma lineatum | Bliss | 1883 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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