Description:

Dorsal spines: 9; Dorsal rays: 13-15; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 9-10.

Small, relatively slender-bodied grouper. Interorbital area flat. Maxilla extends past eye. Preopercle rounded, finely serrate, lower edge fleshy. 
Upper edge of operculum distinctly convex. Ctenoid scales on body. Pelvic fins do not reach anus. Caudal fin well-rounded.

Colour. Head and body mottled red-brown with a paler ventral surface. Head with numerous red-orange or pinkish-red spots extending to pectoral region. 
Dark brown spot on posterior edge of operculum. Pectoral fins may have a yellowish tint. Distinctive dark brown saddle on the caudal peduncle and a second much smaller saddle
behind it. Usually exhibits submarginal streaks on upper and lower edge of caudal fin, upper streak darker

Maturity: Unknown. Max length: 24.0 cm TL.

Reef associated. Occurs in coral-rich areas of lagoons their channels, and outer reef slopes (depth 1-40 m, usually 3-20 m). Solitary, territorial and secretive, usually hiding
in caves and crevices. Omnivorous with a diet composed of fishes and crustaceans.

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It may be caught in the handline and fish trap fishery, but if so it is a very rare component of the catch, 
likely because its small size reduces its vulnerabilty to the fishing gear in use.
 

Photo provided courtesy of GVI/SNPA. 

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. (2022). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Cephalopholis-leopardus.html (04/05/22). 
Samoilys, M. (2018). Cephalopholis leopardus. The IUCN Red List 2018: e.T132737A100455324. 
https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T132737A100455324.en. (04/05/22).

Nevill, J.E.G. (2022). Cephalopholis leopardus, Leopard hind. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc https://seatizens.sc/species/cephalopholis-leopardus-lacepede-1801/