- English Name : Peacock hind
- Local Name : Mas faana
- Size : Common to 35 cm; max. 52 cm
- Family : Order : Specimen :
- Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 9 spines and 15-17 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 9 rays. Pectoral fin with 16-18 rays. Body depth 2.7-3.2 in standard length. Oblong, somewhat compressed body, 17-19 gill rakers on the lower limb. Auxiliary scales present on body. Dorsal rays and anal rays longer than their adjacent spines. Pelvic fin shorter than half head length.
- Colour: Body, head and fins dark brown. About 5-6 pale vertical bars occur on sides. Entire body including the fins spotted with black-edged blue spots. Fins dark.
- Habitat and Biology: Demersal, found in lagoons and on coral reefs to depths of 40 m. Occurs singly or in pairs, typically hides under coral ledges or in rocky crevices. Feeds primarily on fishes.
- Distribution: Indo-Pacific.
- Remarks: Cephalopholis argus is the most common and widespread species of the genus. Juveniles are
sometime exported as aquarium fish. Considered as an excellent food fish.