© Piotr LukasikCC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist
Barred Soapfish
Diploprion bifasciatus
Arrowhead Soapfish
Belonoperca chabanaudi
- Max size
- View in app
- Max depth
- 50 m
- Found in
- 20 regions
How to recognise it
- Colours
- blackyellowgreenblue
- Body shape
- Elongated
- Pattern
- Blotches or dots
- Family
- Liopropomatidae
Belonoperca is a genus of marine ray-finned fish, related to the groupers and included in the subfamily Epinephelinae, part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. They are found in the Indo-Pacific region.
Characteristics
The species within Belonoperca are elongated, predatory fish that produce the toxin grammistin in the mucus on their skin. The two species in the genus have 9 spines in their dorsal fin, although B, chabanaudi may have 10, and both have 10 dorsal fin rays. Other members of the tribe Diploprionini have more dorsal fin rays than the species of Belonoperca. They also differ from related fishes in the arrangement of the spines and rays in the anal fin.
Species
There are two species within the genus Belonoperca:
Utilisation
The soapfishes in the genus Belonoperca are sometimes found in the aquarium trade.
Similar species
© Piotr LukasikCC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist 
Barred Soapfish (juvenile)
Diploprion bifasciatus
Indian Soapfish
Pogonoperca ocellata
© Georgina JonesCC BY-SA 4.0 · iNaturalist
Lined Soapfish
Grammistes sexlineatus
Questions
Is Arrowhead Soapfish dangerous?
Arrowhead Soapfish has no known danger to humans. However, always observe marine life responsibly.
Where can you find Arrowhead Soapfish?
How deep does Arrowhead Soapfish live?
Arrowhead Soapfish can be found at depths of up to 50 meters.
