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The marine organism we're 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 etched 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 can usually 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 grouper 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, those 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.