Red Hind Identification

Video Transcript

"The marine organism we are going to identify now, is the Red Hind. The Red Hind is a member of the Grouper or Sea Bass family of fish. It is easily identified by the red spots covering its whitish body. The most distinguishing characteristics, however, are the dark margins, often edged in white, on the dorsal and caudal or tail fin. These dark margins are what differentiate the Red Hind from the Rock Hind, which lacks the dark fin margins. Red Hinds can also pale or darken their color at will, and the reddish spots are not seen on the dorsal or tail fin. Red Hinds are generally seen as solitary animals, and frequently seen resting on the bottom by a coral structure. They usually can be closely approached if the approach is slow. They will swim away, skimming across the bottom if approached too aggressively. Red Hinds are small members of the Groupers or Sea Bass family, ranging in size from ten to fifteen inches most commonly, with a maximum size of only two feet. They are fairly territorial and will often be found in the same general area on subsequent visits to a dive or snorkel site. Red Hinds feed primarily on crabs and other crustaceans such as shrimp and small lobsters. But, they also have reportedly been observed feeding on octopus and smaller fishes. Red Hinds are hermaphroditic which means that they can change sex. Generally larger specimens that is greater than fifteen inches in length, are males. As with all Groupers, they mate in large groups at specific times of the year, in specific locations. Generally mating occurs early in each calendar year. That's the Red Hind."