Harlequin hind (Cephalopholis polleni)

Scientific name: Cephalopholis polleni Bleeker, 1868

The Harlequin hind (Cephalopholis polleni) is a marine fish of the family Serranidae.

Biology

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.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Cephalopholis polleni
Family: Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 43.0
Depth range: 10–120 m (33–394 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 10 - 120 m, usually 25 - 120 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: scattered insular localities from the Comoros to the Line Islands. Unknown from the Red Sea, coast of East Africa, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Guinea, and the larger islands of Indonesia.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026