The Garish Hind (Cephalopholis miniata), also known as the coral hind or coral grouper, is a vibrantly colored reef fish found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in coral-rich areas. Renowned for its striking red-orange body with bright blue spots, the Garish Hind is highly valued in both commercial and artisanal fisheries, primarily for the live reef food fish trade and local consumption. The top fishing countries for this species include Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Australia, where the fish is harvested using hook-and-line, traps, and sometimes less sustainable methods like cyanide fishing. These nations have developed significant industries around reef fish export, especially to markets in Hong Kong and mainland China, where the Garish Hind commands high prices in restaurants and seafood markets. Overfishing and habitat degradation, however, have raised concerns about the sustainability of Garish Hind populations, prompting some countries to implement size limits, seasonal closures, and marine protected areas to safeguard this iconic reef predator.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.