Peacock Grouper/Hind Cephalopholis argus

The Peacock Grouper, also called Peacock Hind, Argus Grouper and Bluespotted Grouper, is native to coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific Ocean, from the eastern coast of Africa to the mid Pacific (as far as French Polynesia but it is invasive in Hawaii). It grows to 60cm long.

Juveniles are dark brown covered in light spots with a bright blue border. The background colour lightens to yellow-brown as they age, and eventually to a lighter colour but still with the blue-bordered spots and developing 4-6 vertical bars on the rear of the body. They live in harems with one dominant male; the females, who can transition to male, also hold territories within the males' harem area. Males fight by lightening and darkening their body colours before a physical attack if the opponent doesn't retreat.