Common name: rockcod

Scientific name: Epinephelus coioides (Hamilton, 1822)
Yelloweyecod

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
Conservation statusSource: IUCN Red List
ExtinctThreatenedLeastConcern

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Chordates
    Chordata
  3. Class
    Ray-finned Fishes
    Actinopterygii
  4. Order
    Perch-like Fishes
    Perciformes
  5. Family
    Groupers
    Serranidae
  6. Genus
    Grouper
    Epinephelus
  7. Species
    rockcod
    Epinephelus coioides (Hamilton, 1822)
  8. Synonyms
    Bola coioides Hamilton, 1822
    Cephalopholis nebulosus (Valenciennes, 1828)
    Epinephelus coiodes (Hamilton, 1822)
    Epinephelus nebulosus (Valenciennes, 1828)
    Epinephelus suillus (Valenciennes, 1828)
    Homalogrystes guntheri Alleyne & Macleay, 1877
    Serranus nebulosus Valenciennes, 1828
    Serranus 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.