🐠 Harlequin Grouper (Cephalopholis polleni)
A Rare Yellow-Green Grouper With Bright Blue Stripes • Hardy and Characterful • A Burst-Speed Hunter
 
📋 The Harlequin Grouper, also known as the Polleni Grouper, Harlequin Hind, or Harlequin Rockcod, has a striking green-to-yellow body (sometimes cream or pale yellow) with bright blue stripes and blue edging along the fins, and yellow-tipped dorsal and anal fins.
It lives on coral reefs and rocky areas around the Indo-Pacific and the Western Indian Ocean, including Madagascar, the Comoros, and East Africa, using the structure for shelter and for ambushing prey. It's a rare, hardy species that adapts well to aquarium life once properly housed. It's shy at first but can become territorial over time, defending its den from other fish.
It won't eat coral tissue, but its sudden bursts of speed while hunting can knock over corals or loose live rock, so secure all rockwork firmly. It's not reef safe and will eat any fish or invertebrate that fits in its mouth. It reaches up to 43cm, so plan on at least 470L, and about 750L for an adult.
 
💡 Highlights
🎨 Yellow-Green With Bright Blue Stripes: A striking, rare grouper
💨 Burst-Speed Hunter: Sudden dashes, so secure your rockwork
💪 Hardy: Adapts well once properly housed
📏 Up to 43cm: A showpiece for large tanks
🪸 Not Reef Safe: Eats any fish or invertebrate that fits its mouth