The Gold-Ribbon Soapfish, Aulacocephalus temminckii, has a deep blue body marked with a bold yellow stripe. This stripe extends from the snout, passes through the eye, and runs along the back to the base of the caudal fin. The species attains a maximum standard length of 40 centimetres (16 in). Its dorsal fin contains 9 spines and 12 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 9 soft rays. The scientific name temminckii honours Dutch zoologist Coenraad Jacob Temminck.
This serranid fish belongs to the grouper subfamily Epinephelinae and is found across the Indo-Pacific, including the northern 🌊 Red Sea. It inhabits rocky reefs, typically living in caves and underneath crevices at depths ranging from 20 to 604 metres (66 to 1,982 ft). A carnivorous species, it preys on fishes and crustaceans. The Gold-Ribbon Soapfish possesses a unique chemical defense: its skin produces grammistin, a bitter-tasting toxin. Production of this toxin increases significantly when the fish is threatened.
The genus. Aulacocephalus Temminck & Schlegel 1843 - aulax (furrow) + cephalus (head). ETYFish
The species. Aulacocephalus temminckii Bleeker 1855 - Honours Coenraad Jacob Temminck. ETYFish
Why it's threatened
There are no major threats towards this species.
Threat classification from the IUCN Red List.
