Common name: Chocolate hind
General information
The Brown-marbled Grouper, scientifically known as Cephalopholis boenak, is a small species of grouper that is popular among aquarists for its striking coloration and manageable size. It is characterized by its brown-marbled pattern and may exhibit blue lines across its face, which gives rise to one of its other common names, the Bluelined Hind.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 200 liter (53 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 22 to 28 °C (72 to 82 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8.1 to 8.4
- Average size
- 35 cm (1′2″)
- Care level
- Moderate to easy Prefers complex environments
- Diet
- Carnivore Enjoys meaty foods like mysis
- Social
- Solo Territorial, best kept alone
- Reefsafe
- No May prey on small fish/inverts
- Aggression
- Semi aggresive Aggressive, especially in small tanks
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerch-like FishesPerciformes
- FamilyGroupersSerranidae
- GenusGrouperCephalopholis
- SpeciesChocolate hindCephalopholis boenak (Bloch, 1790)
- Synonyms? boenack Bloch, 1790Bodianus boenak Bloch, 1790Cephalapholis boenak (Bloch, 1790)Cephalopholis boenack (Bloch, 1790)Cephalopholis boenacki (Bloch, 1790)Cephalopholis pachycentron (Valenciennes, 1828)Epinephelus boelang (Valenciennes, 1828)Epinephelus boenack (Bloch, 1790)Epinephelus pachycentrum (Valenciennes, 1828)Serranus boelang Valenciennes, 1828Serranus boenak (Bloch, 1790)Serranus nigrofasciatus Hombron & Jacquinot, 1853Serranus pachycentron Valenciennes, 1828Serranus stigmapomus Richardson, 1846
Care
Caring for the Brown-marbled Grouper requires a spacious tank to accommodate its territorial nature. It is a hardy species that adapts well to life in captivity, provided that the water quality is maintained at optimal levels. A varied diet of meaty foods such as shrimp, squid, and fish flesh is essential for their health.
Reproduction
In the wild, groupers are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they start life as females and can change to males as they mature. Breeding in captivity is challenging and not commonly achieved by hobbyists.
Habitat
The Brown-marbled Grouper is 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 reef environments and are often found in lagoons and on outer reef slopes.