Common name: rockcod
General information
The Orange-spotted Grouper, Epinephelus coioides, is a popular marine species among advanced aquarists. Known for its distinctive orange spots and robust body, this grouper is a predatory fish that requires a spacious tank to accommodate its size, which can reach up to 1 meter in the wild. It's a versatile species found in various marine environments, often in estuaries and shallow coastal waters.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 500 liter (130 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 23 to 28 °C (73 to 82 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8.1 to 8.4
- Average size
- 75 cm (2′6″)
- Care level
- Moderate to difficult Sensitive to water quality
- Diet
- Carnivore Prefers live/frozen foods
- Social
- Solo Territorial, best kept alone
- Reefsafe
- No May eat smaller fish/inverts
- Aggression
- Semi aggresive Aggressive, especially when mature
- Captive bred
- Yes Bred in aquaculture facilities
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerch-like FishesPerciformes
- FamilyGroupersSerranidae
- GenusGrouperEpinephelus
- SpeciesrockcodEpinephelus coioides (Hamilton, 1822)
- SynonymsBola coioides Hamilton, 1822Cephalopholis nebulosus (Valenciennes, 1828)Epinephelus coiodes (Hamilton, 1822)Epinephelus nebulosus (Valenciennes, 1828)Epinephelus suillus (Valenciennes, 1828)Homalogrystes guntheri Alleyne & Macleay, 1877Serranus nebulosus Valenciennes, 1828Serranus suillus Valenciennes, 1828
Care
When keeping an Orange-spotted Grouper in captivity, it's essential to provide a large aquarium with plenty of rockwork and hiding places. This species can be aggressive, particularly towards smaller fish, so tankmates should be chosen with care. A varied diet of meaty foods such as fish, squid, and crustaceans is necessary to maintain its health.
Reproduction
In the wild, Epinephelus coioides exhibits protogynous hermaphroditism, where individuals start life as females and can change to males as they mature. Breeding in captivity is challenging due to their size and the need for precise environmental conditions.
Habitat
The Orange-spotted Grouper is native to the Indo-Pacific region, from the Persian Gulf to the Western Pacific, inhabiting coral reefs and mangrove areas up to 100 meters deep. They are often found in turbid water conditions and can tolerate a range of salinities, which is indicative of their estuarine preferences.