Red Ref Cod (Cephalopholis Sonnerati)

Goes by the name Tomato Hind thanks to its colour the Red Ref cod has a pointed snout and a concave profile. Usually, the colour of this fish ranges from orange-red to orange-brown and it may even have spots all over its body. In certain areas, the colour of the fish may be different than the other. In the Indian Ocean, its body is reddish brown while in the Pacific Ocean its colour may be yellowish brown with spots on the head.

You would find them living around coastal areas and reefs where hunting of crustaceans is quite easy for them. The maximum the Red Ref cod can grow is around 22 inches in length. A pretty widespread species the Red Ref cod is majorly liked by humans. People often catch it using bait, hooks and traps. Often the Tomato Hind can be found trading fresh in live markets in Hong Kong.

Though there is no concern for the fish to become endangered if the rate at which it is being consumed is maintained it might fall under the same category.99% of the diet consumed by Red Ref cod is crustaceans though it might comprise of other fishes as well. You would find the jaws of the Tomato hind having small canines in the front and palatines at the back.