[2] although this is probably incorrect (and likely to be for P. leavis) as the Australian Spearfishing record for P. leopardus is 10.250kg[5] The leopard coral grouper is found in the western Pacific where it is distributed from southern Japan to Australia and from the east coast of Thailand and Malaysia east to the Solomon Islands, Caroline Islands and Fiji.

Sex ratios are an important consideration for management, as changes could seriously affect reproduction, thus the number of juveniles coming into the fishery in future years.

Spawning typically takes place at dusk, when the light levels make it difficult for predators to see and feed upon the eggs.

As part of this courtship ritual, male coral trout display their fins' darkened edges, which can be switched on and off almost instantly.

During a spawning rush, the male and female swim rapidly towards the surface, where they release sperm and eggs into the water as they quickly turn.

The cloud of sperm and eggs released during a spawning rush is not easily seen, but its presence can sometimes be noted by the frantic feeding of small zooplankton-eating fish.

Growth rates of coral trout are variable; every age class has a wide range of sizes.

Recent research at Bramble Reef has found that common coral trout (P. leopardus) reaches a maximum age of 16 years.

Individual coral trout have different feeding behaviors, possibly explaining the variability in growth and maturity.

One study showed coral trout eating schools of fusilers in summer, and scarids during the winter.

This seasonal variation is quite common in the diet of coral trout due to varying abundances of prey at different times of the year.

Trout also tend to eat more food in winter, possibly to increase fat stores in preparation for reproduction in spring.

[10] The leopard coral grouper was first formally described as Holocentrus leopardus by the French naturalist Bernard Germain de Lacépède ((1756-1825)[11] with the type locality given as the Mer des Indes.

The catching of live fish for export is an important commercial fishery in the Asia-Pacific region, currently they are primarily sourced from Indonesia and the Philippines.

In Australia it is caught by commercial fisheries using hook and line and is taken by recreational fishers using handlines, rods and spearguns.

Average Catch Per Unit Effort of 0.59-0.68 species/day and weight of 1.58 and 1.60kg for leopard coral grouper captured by spearfishers in Australia[12] It is fished for using cyanide in the Philippines and Indonesia.

In Fiji and New Caledonia artisanal fishers catch it using hook and line and spear, and as bycatch in traps.