Flagtail Grouper

Cephalopholis urodeta

Flagtail Grouper (Cephalopholis urodeta) is a small reef grouper of the Indo-Pacific, usually found on coral-rich drop-offs and lagoon reefs. It is an ambush predator that feeds mainly on small fishes and crustaceans and is occasionally taken by line anglers.

Air masin

Flagtail Grouper reference image — Rickard Zerpe, cc-by, via Wikimedia Commons. Sumber: Wikimedia Commons.

Titik pengenalan

Dark brown to reddish body with a pale blue-green sheen on the head and sides
White-edged black tail fin with a conspicuous pale or white rear margin
Several pale blue spots on the head and upper body, with a stout grouper profile

Habitat

Coral reefs, reef fronts, lagoon patch reefs, and outer reef slopes; typically close to cover in crevices, ledges, and rubble at moderate depths.

Nota umpan

Small live reef fish, squid strips, cut bait, shrimp, and reef-prawn baits work well; small jigging spoons and soft plastics fished near bottom can also draw strikes.

Tingkah laku

A solitary ambush predator that rests tight to structure by day and forages on small reef fish and crustaceans, often more active at dusk and night.

Berhati-hati

Use caution handling the sharp dorsal spines and avoid taking fish from coral reefs where ciguatera risk may apply; local size and bag limits may restrict harvest.

Nota memancing

Drop baits tight to coral ledges and holes, then hold just off bottom; use light but abrasion-resistant leader because it runs back into structure. Short pauses and precise placement matter more than long casts.