Vermilion hind (Cephalopholis oligosticta)

Scientific name: Cephalopholis oligosticta Randall & Ben-Tuvia, 1983

The Vermilion hind (Cephalopholis oligosticta) is a marine fish of the family Serranidae. Native range: Western Indian Ocean, known only in the Red Sea, from Eilat in the northern Gulf of Aqaba to the Farasan Islands off the southern end of Saudi Arabia.

Biology

Inhabits dead reefs in silty areas. It could possibly be an aquarium novelty. Ripe females at 17 to 19 cm SL and a mature male at 22 cm SL were reported.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Cephalopholis oligosticta
Family: Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 30.0
Depth range: 20–50 m (66–164 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 20 - 50 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Western Indian Ocean: known only in the Red Sea, from Eilat in the northern Gulf of Aqaba to the Farasan Islands off the southern end of Saudi Arabia.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: potential
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)