Fish
Marbled Leopard Rockcod
Plectropomus punctatus
A boldly marbled coral grouper of tropical Indo-Pacific reefs, a patient ambush predator that hangs close to structure.
- Habitat
- Coral reefs and rocky structure
The marbled leopard rockcod is one of the coral groupers, built like its coral-trout relatives with a robust body and a wide, canine-lined mouth for seizing prey. Its patterned, spotted-and-marbled skin breaks up its outline against reef and rubble.
It is a resident ambush hunter, holding station near ledges, caves and coral heads and darting out to grab fish and crustaceans. Curious but wary, it is a prized reef target where it occurs.