Brown Spotted Reef Cod

The Brown Spotted Reef Cod (E. chlorostigma), known as Hamour in Arabic, is one of the largest coral dwelling fish to be found in and around the Persian Gulf locale.

E. chlorostigma has a pale green gray body covered with small circular brown blotches, except for its belly which is lighter in color. When aroused, the fish is able to change its body shading according to its surroundings. Five dark brown vertical bands appear along the body. Its mouth is very large and capable of being opened to the width of the body diameter.

E. chlorostigma has large pectoral and caudal fins that enable it to move and maneuver quickly through the water. It is a reef-dwelling fish and prefers coral caves or rock crevices in which to live. It feeds on crabs, cuttle fish and almost any other small fish. It is shy and lazy in its habits. When feeding, E. chlorostigma hides in its cave opening or in between corals and waits for some unsuspecting prey to pass by close enough to be pounced upon and swallowed whole. Predators are usually warned off by an impressive display of mouth gaping.

Cooked Hamour in all its forms (stew, grilled, or fried) is a highly prized dish in Arab Gulf culture and "baby hamour" is a delicacy found numerous upscale restaurants.