Common name: Yellowfin grouper
General information
The Blue-spotted Grouper, scientifically known as Epinephelus cyanopodus, is a striking fish species popular among advanced aquarists. This species is known for its vibrant blue spots that adorn its brown to greenish body, making it a visually appealing addition to any large marine aquarium.
Details
- Recommended minimum volume
- 500 liter (130 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 7.8 to 8.4
- Average size
- 75 cm (2′6″)
- Care level
- Moderate to difficult Needs large space and hiding spots
- Diet
- Carnivore Prefers meaty foods like shrimp
- Social
- Solo Territorial, best kept alone
- Reefsafe
- No May eat smaller fish and inverts
- Aggression
- Semi aggresive Can be aggressive, especially when mature
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerch-like FishesPerciformes
- FamilyGroupersSerranidae
- GenusGrouperEpinephelus
- SpeciesYellowfin grouperEpinephelus cyanopodus (Richardson, 1846)
- SynonymsEpinephalus kohleri Schultz, 1953Epinephelus hoedti (Bleeker, 1855)Epinephelus kohleri Schultz, 1953Epinephelus suitonis Tanaka, 1915Homalogrystes luctuosus De Vis, 1882Serranus cyanopodus Richardson, 1846Serranus hoedtii Bleeker, 1855Serranus punctatissimus Günther, 1859
Care
Blue-spotted Groupers require a spacious tank due to their potential size, reaching up to 90 cm in the wild. They are carnivorous and need a diet of meaty foods such as fish, squid, and crustaceans. It's important to feed them a varied diet to ensure proper nutrition. These groupers can be aggressive, particularly towards smaller fish, so tankmates should be chosen with care.
Reproduction
In the wild, Blue-spotted Groupers are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they start life as females and can change to males as they mature. Breeding them in captivity is challenging and not commonly done by hobbyists due to their large size and complex social dynamics.
Habitat
The Blue-spotted Grouper is found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific. They prefer reef environments and are often seen in lagoons and on outer reef slopes, typically at depths of 2 to 40 meters.