Soapfish - Grammistinae
SOAPFISH - GRAMMISTINAE
There are around twenty four different soapfish amongst this grouper subfamily (Serranidae). Their name comes from the bitter tasting slime layer (grammistine) that they have over their body and this helps to keep predators at a distance. Poison is only released when they are stressed and it also helps to protect them from parasites. Soapfish are known to be able to kill all the fish in a aquarium in a few minutes. A few species live below thirty meters and are active at night. This is one of the reasons why not much is known about this family. Length: 25 cm.
Distribution: from India and Maldives to SW- Japan, P.N.G, Vanuatu and Australia.
Bright or pale yellow body and fins, wide blackish bar central body and black eye bar. Occasionally completely black with yellow fins.
Always close to caves and crevices where they can hide.
Lives solitary or in small groups on coastal rock or coral reefs, from -1 to -18 m.
Length: 15 cm.
Distribution: from India towards SW- Japan and Australia.
An only member of it’s genus. The scorpionfish look will help to discourage predators.
Spiny dorsal fin with irregular shaped spots, all other fins have a banded pattern.
Grouper shaped head and mouth, very fine cirri on snout. Has an orange variation
with white fins. Lives solitary, in estuaries and silty coastal reefs, from -1 to -10 m.
Soapfish info.
Diploprion bifasciatum - Double banded soapfish
Grammistes sexlineatus Goldstriped soapfish
Pogonoperca punctata - Spotted soapfish
Belanoperca chabanaudi - Arrowhead soapfish