Description:

Dorsal spines: 9; Dorsal rays: 14-16; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 8-9. 

Relatively small, moderately slender grouper. Relatively short snout. Interorbital area flat. Maxilla scaly, reaching to or beyond vertical at rear edge 
of eye. Preopercle rounded, finely serrate, the lower edge fleshy; subopercle and interopercle serrate. Pectoral fins distinctly longer than pelvic fins.
Pelvic fins reaching to or slightly before anus. Dorsal fin membranes distinctly incised between the spines. Caudal fin rounded. 

Colour. Pale orange-red to orange-yellow or golden body, small red to yellow spots on the head, anterior body, and along the dorsal-fin base.
Posterior margin of caudal fin with a pale blue edge and black submarginal line; posterior parts of dorsal and anal fins often with a narrow pale 
blue edge.

Size:

Maturity: Unknown. Max length : 30.0 cm TL.
 

Habitat and Ecology:

A poorly known, relatively rare, deep-water grouper (depth 40 - 300 m, usually 100 - 250 m). Found on steep seaward reefs.
Feeds mainly on crabs. Solitary.

Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or suibject to fishery regulations. It is a rare component of the catch due to its relative scarcity and typically deep depth of occurrence.

Notes:

Usually considered to be a young C. sonnerati by fishers and hence named "msye angar". 

References:

Amorim, P. et al (2018). Cephalopholis aurantia. The IUCN Red List 2018: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T132725A100453919.en. (20/02/23).
Bray, D.J. (2017). Cephalopholis aurantia in Fishes of Australia, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/5173 (21/02/23)
Craig, M.T. et al (2011). Groupers of the World - a field and market guide. NISC (Pty) Ltd, South Africa. ISBN: 978-1-920033-11-8
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2021). FishBase. Cephalopholis aurantia https://www.fishbase.se/summary/6443 (20/02/23).  
Heemstra, P.C. & J.E. Randall, (1993). FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 16. Groupers of the world (family Serranidae, subfamily Epinephelinae). An annotated 
and illustrated catalogue of the grouper, rockcod, hind, coral grouper and lyretail species known to date. Rome: FAO. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(16):382 p.

Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G. (2023). Cephalopholis aurantia, Golden hind. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/cephalopholis-aurantia-valenciennes-1828/