Related FAQs: Basses called Soapfishes,
Related Articles: Basses,
/A Diversity of Aquatic
Life
The Soapfishes, Family Grammistidae, or Tribe
Grammistini of the Serranidae, in part, or...
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Bob Fenner |
Rypticus saponaceus
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Genus Belonoperca:
Belonoperca chabanaudi Fowler & Bean
1930, the Arrowhead Soapfish. Indo-Pacific, far West Pacific to
East Africa. To six inches in length. Shy and retiring species
found singly under overhangs and in caves. |
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Belonoperca pylei Baldwin & Smith 1998, the
Orange-spotted or Dr. Seuss Soapfish. Western Central Pacific, Cook Islands.
To six inches in length. |
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Genus Diploprion:
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Diploprion drachi Roux-Esteve 1955, the
Yellowfin Soapfish. Red Sea (where this picture was taken) and Gulf
of Aden. To five and a half inches in length. Shy species that
hides near rocky reefs and masks behind larger fishes to sneak up
on fish prey. |
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Genus Grammistes: The most common Soapfish
Grammistes sexlineatus (Thunberg 1932), the
Sixline Soapfish or Grouper. Indo-Pacific, including the Red Sea.
To twelve inches in length. For calm surroundings with caves, of
adequate size, that are well-filtered. Juveniles in the Red
Sea and Maldives, and adult in captivity. Monotypic genus. |
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Genus Pogonoperca:
Pogonoperca punctata (Valenciennes 1830),
the Clown Grouper. Indo-Pacific. To fourteen inches maximum length.
A shy, unusual-looking soapfish member that makes its way into the
trade on a regular basis. Needs plenty of shelter to feel at ease
in captivity. Aquarium image. One other species in this genus. |
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Genus Rypticus:
Rypticus bicolor Valenciennes 1846, the
Mottled Soapfish. Baja California to Peru. To 11 inches.
Costa Rica (Pacific side) 2011 |
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Rypticus nigripinnis (Bloch & Schneider
1801), the Greater Soapfish. To eight inches in length. A dark band
over the eyes/forehead distinguishes this species from the
sympatric R. bicolor found in about the same range. Galapagos
image. |
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Rypticus saponaceus Gill 1861, the Blackgill
Soapfish. Eastern Pacific; Sea of Cortez to Northern Peru,
Galapagos. To thirteen inches in length. Somber, but of an
interesting shape. Occasionally imported into pet-fish markets. In
Cozumel, Mexico and Bonaire. There are eight species in this
genus. |
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Bibliography/Further Reading:
Michael, Scott W. 1999. Lather up- it's the
Soapfishes. AFM 6/99.
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