Cephalopholis miniata
Cephalopholis miniata
Written by Saturday, 12 September 2009 00:00
See photoalbum of Cephalopholis miniata.
General
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Scientific Name or classification |
Cephalopholis miniata (Forsskal, 1775)
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Common Name |
Coral hind, Miniata grouper, Coral grouper, Lapu lapu |
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Synonyms |
None |
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Family |
Serranidae |
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Type Locality |
Jakarta (Batavia), Java, Indonesia |
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Etymology |
Cephalo (from Greek: head) – pholis (from Greek: scale) miniata (from Latin: small) |
Species Information
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Size (TL or SL in cm) |
41 cm |
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Identification |
Red to off-red base coloration with bright, fluorescent blue-green spots. "Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 15; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9. Color orange-red to reddish brown, usually dark posteriorly with numerous bright blue spots which are smaller than the pupil and often faintly dark-edged on head, body and median fins; distal margin of caudal fin and soft portions of dorsal and anal fins usually with a narrow blue margin and blackish submarginal line; orange-yellow pectoral fins, on some only distally; orange-red pelvic fins; it is capable of a disruptive color pattern of irregular oblique olivaceous bars; juveniles may be yellow with scattered faint blue spots. D IX, 14-16; A III, 8-9 (rarely 8); pectoral 17-18 (often 18); scales on lateral line 47-55; scales on longitudinal series 94-114; snout anterior to nostrils no scales; partially scaled maxilla; abdomen with cycloid scales; gill rakers 7-9 + 13-15; depth of body 2.65-3.05 in SL; length of head 2.4-2.65 in SL; the maxilla extends to or posterior to rear of the orbit; smooth ventral margin of preopercle; 5th - 8th dorsal spines longest , 3.0-3.6 in head; pectoral fins 1.45-1.75 in head; pelvic fins do not reach the anus, 1.9-2.3 in head." (1) |
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Sexing |
No sexual dimorphism of any kind. |
Habitat
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Natural distribution |
Common in many parts of the tropical Indo-Pacific; Red Sea to Durban, South Africa over to west-central Pacific on most islands. Notably not Hawaii or the Persian Gulf. |
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pH |
8.4 |
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Temperature |
25o-26oC |
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Other parameters |
Normal tropical marine tank parameters, actual habitat parameters depend on site of collection. |
Husbandry
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Feeding |
Meaty foods such as marine fish and crustacean flesh. Feed 2-4 times a week. It is reported that in nature it feeds 80% on Pseudanthias squamipinnis. |
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Compatibility |
Will eat ornamental crustaceans and fish tankmates. Otherwise safe for reef tanks. |
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Suggested |
Fish of the same or larger size. Only one C. miniata per tank. As with many true basses, this Hind does not like to share its hiding spaces or feeding niche with other fishes. "Yawning" behaviour and squaring off side by side with tankmates are signs of aggression that should not be ignored (someone should be moved). Large enough (hundreds of gallons) systems, plenty of cover/caves, utilizing differently coloured or marked though related species greatly diminish the likelihood of negative interactions. |
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Furniture |
Caves for it to retreat. This fish will fight with other tankmates over preferred hiding spots so offer more than one hiding spot for it. Filtration should be strong as the fish produces large amounts of biowaste. |
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Suitability for |
Not recommended for aquaria due to feeding specialization. |
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Recommended |
Minimum 100 gallons (400 L). Can outgrow small tanks. If a second C. miniata is to be kept, a 250 gallon tank (1000 L) is recommended. |
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Behaviour in |
Shy at first, will come in the open more often when acclimatized. Suitable for reef tanks, deep or shallow. This species can be a prodigious excavator, moving sand, good-sized rubble about with its mouth. |
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Other remarks |
As an ornamental aquatic the Miniata (or Lapu Lapu), is a beautiful species manifesting the typical shy bass-like behavior (except when acclimatized, at dinner time). Undemanding in terms of water conditions, accepting of most foodstuffs, and very disease resistant, a worthy recipient of the Lapu Lapu name. |
Breeding
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Breeding |
Not reported / unknown. In nature it forms "haremic groups comprising of a dominant male and 2 to 12 females. These groups occupy territories of up to 475 sq m subdivided into secondary territories and defended by a single female". (1) |
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References / Citations:
2. Wetwebmedia
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