Species introCountry intro
Peacock/Argus Grouper
Abu Galawa Kebir, Hamata, Egypt (2009).
A medium sized fish that can reach a length of 60 centimeters (24 in). Small individuals are dark brown with hundreds of small, dark-edged iridescent blue spots. Larger specimens sometimes develop four to six lighter vertical bars on the back half of its body. Red Sea males defend harems of 2-6 females in territories ranging up to .5 acres (0.20 ha). Each female defends part of the territory from the other females. The male visits each female daily, raising his dorsal fin to signal his approach. The females emerges from hiding, erecting her own dorsal fin and changing to a lighter color. They swim together, rubbing flanks before he departs until the next day.
Habitat:
Indo-Pacific. They typically sit on a coral head, retreating when startled.
''Cephalopholis argus'', also known as roi, bluespotted grouper, argus grouper, peacock hind, peacock grouper or peacock rockcod, is a fish from the Indo-Pacific which is variously a commercial gamefish, an invasive species, and occasionally an aquarium resident. Its species name comes from its resemblance to the "hundred staring eyes" of the monster Argus in Greek mythology.
