Common name: slender grouper
General information
The Slender Grouper, scientifically known as Anyperodon leucogrammicus, is a striking fish species popular among advanced aquarists. This species is known for its elongated body and the distinctive white lines that run along its sides, giving it a sleek and elegant appearance. The Slender Grouper is a solitary predator, often found lurking around reefs waiting to ambush prey.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 300 liter (79 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8 to 8.4
- Average size
- 30 cm (1′)
- Care level
- Moderate to easy Needs hiding places and open water
- Diet
- Carnivore Enjoys meaty foods and frozen preparations
- Social
- Solo Territorial, best kept alone
- Reefsafe
- No May prey on small fish and inverts
- Aggression
- Semi aggresive Can be aggressive, especially to smaller fish
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerch-like FishesPerciformes
- FamilyGroupersSerranidae
- GenusSlender GrouperAnyperodon
- Speciesslender grouperAnyperodon leucogrammicus (Valenciennes, 1828)
- SynonymsAnyperodon leucogammicus (Valenciennes, 1828)Anyperodon leucogrammiscus (Valenciennes, 1828)Serranus leucogrammicus Valenciennes, 1828Serranus micronotatus Rüppell, 1838Serranus urophthalmus Bleeker, 1855
Care
Caring for the Slender Grouper requires a spacious tank due to its potential size, reaching up to 40 centimeters in length. They need plenty of hiding places and a varied diet consisting of meaty foods such as fish, squid, and crustaceans. It's important to note that they can be aggressive towards smaller tank mates and should be housed with other large, robust fish.
Reproduction
In the wild, Slender Groupers are protogynous hermaphrodites, starting life as females and changing to males as they mature. Breeding in captivity is rare and challenging, often requiring large, species-specific systems to mimic natural conditions.
Habitat
Slender Groupers are found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa, north to the Ryukyu Islands, and south to New Caledonia. They prefer coral-rich areas and clear lagoons, typically at depths of 1 to 60 meters.