Cephalopholis miniata
Encounter Rate
Spotting Difficulty
Best Season
Year-round
Depth Range
2-50 meters
The coral grouper is one of the most brilliantly coloured predatory fish on Komodo's reefs — a vivid orange-red body covered in electric blue spots that makes it impossible to miss against the reef backdrop. Despite its flamboyant appearance, this medium-sized grouper is a patient and cunning predator that hunts small reef fish using stealth and ambush tactics. In Komodo, coral groupers are found at virtually every healthy reef site, typically perched on coral heads or hovering near the reef edge where they can survey passing prey. One of their most remarkable behaviours is their cooperative hunting partnership with giant moray eels. The grouper will approach a moray's den and perform a distinctive head-shaking signal to recruit the eel. The two then hunt together — the grouper chasing prey in open water while the moray probes crevices, covering both escape routes. This interspecies communication and cooperation is one of the most sophisticated hunting strategies observed in fish.
Did you recently spot a Coral Grouper?
Share your encounter with the diving community
Average Size
25-35cm
Size Range
10-50cm
Maximum Size
50cm
Predator feeding primarily on small reef fish and crustaceans. Hunts using ambush tactics and is known for cooperative hunting with giant moray eels.
The coral grouper is one of the most brilliantly coloured predatory fish on Komodo's reefs — a vivid orange-red body covered in electric blue spots that makes it impossible to miss against the reef backdrop. Despite its flamboyant appearance, this medium-sized grouper is a patient and cunning predator that hunts small reef fish using stealth and ambush tactics. In Komodo, coral groupers are found at virtually every healthy reef site, typically perched on coral heads or hovering near the reef edge where they can survey passing prey. One of their most remarkable behaviours is their cooperative hunting partnership with giant moray eels. The grouper will approach a moray's den and perform a distinctive head-shaking signal to recruit the eel. The two then hunt together — the grouper chasing prey in open water while the moray probes crevices, covering both escape routes. This interspecies communication and cooperation is one of the most sophisticated hunting strategies observed in fish.
This species plays an important role in the marine ecosystem of Komodo National Park. Responsible diving practices help protect these animals and their habitat for future generations.
No encounters shared yet
Be the first to share your sighting of this species!
Very common — they are one of the most frequently seen predatory fish at every reef site in the park. Batu Bolong, Castle Rock, and Crystal Rock host particularly large populations.
Answer a few questions and our team will point you towards the perfect match!
Start nowIt's free and takes 2 mins
