Barcheek Coral Trout (Spotted Coralgrouper)

Barcheek Coral Trout (Plectropomus maculatus), also known as Spotted Coralgrouper are colourful coral reef fishes belonging to the grouper family Serranidae. They occur throughout the tropical Indo-West Pacific where they inhabit coral reefs to depths of about 100 m. Adults can grow to about 125 cm in total length and are excellent food and sport fishes throughout their range.

Barcheek Coral Trout are recognised by the elongated bright blue spots on their cheeks. The spots on the head and front half of the body are usually oval or horizontally elongated, while those on the rear of the body and fins become much smaller, rounder and far more numerous. Body colour varies from greenish-grey and brown to reddish or orange-red.

Barcheek Coral Trout inhabit coral reefs, reef slopes and lagoon reefs from shallow coastal waters to depths of about 100 m. Unlike many other groupers, they actively patrol reef edges in search of prey, using short bursts of speed to capture small fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods such as squids. Telemetry studies have shown they are most active between 0500 and 1000 hours, with peak movement occurring during twilight before sunrise, while activity is lowest at night.

Like many groupers, Barcheek Coral Trout are protogynous hermaphrodites. Individuals mature first as females, with some changing sex later in life to become males.

Other names for the fish:

Barcheek Coral Trout, Spotted Coral Trout, Spotted Coralgrouper, Spotted Coral Grouper, Blue-spotted Coral Trout, 东星斑 (Dōng xīng bān), 蓝点东星斑 (Lán diǎn dōng xīng bān), Ikan Kerapu Sunoh Pisang, Kerapu Sunoh Pisang, Kerapu Bara, Kerapu Merah, Senderong, Senderung, Sunoh Taising, Kerapu Sunu Pisang, Sunu Pisang, ปลากะรังจุดฟ้าจุดใหญ่ (Plā karạng cud f̂ā cud yai).