Yellowfin hind  (Cephalopholis hemistiktos)

One of the most abundant Cephalopholis species in parts of its range (1) (4), the yellowfin hind is a moderately sized, relatively robust reef fish. The body varies in colour from brownish in shallow waters to red in deeper waters, and bears small, dark-edged blue spots on the head (especially on the lower part), the underside of the body, and on the caudal fin and the rear parts of the dorsal and anal fin. The rounded caudal fin and the rear parts of the dorsal fin and anal fin are darker than the body, while the pectoral fins are mostly brown, with a broad yellow margin, which gives the yellowfin hind its common name (2) (4) (5). Some individuals have a large yellowish area below the dorsal fin, or alternating dark and pale bars on the body, with dark blotches on the head (2) (5). The dorsal fin and anal fin bear a number of spines (2) (3) (4) (5).

The yellowfin hind of the Red Sea is smaller than its counterparts in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Gulf, and differs in the number of rays in the pectoral fins (2) (5). The species can be distinguished from the closely related Cephalopholis miniata and Cephalopholis sexmaculata, with which its range overlaps, by the lack of blue spots on the upper surface, the darker edges to the caudal fin, dorsal fin and anal fin, and the distinct yellow margin on the pectoral fins. This species also has a pointed rather than a rounded anal fin (2) (4).