Common name: Howland island rock cod

General information

Howland's Grouper, scientifically known as Epinephelus howlandi, is a lesser-known species within the reefkeeping community, primarily due to its rarity and limited distribution. This species is part of the family Serranidae, which includes groupers and sea basses known for their robust bodies and predatory nature.

Care

Howland's Grouper requires a spacious aquarium to accommodate its potential size, as groupers can grow quite large. They are carnivorous and require a diet of meaty foods such as fish, squid, and crustaceans. It's important to feed them a varied diet to ensure proper nutrition. Due to their predatory instincts, they should not be kept with small fish or invertebrates that could be seen as prey.

Reproduction

Groupers, including Howland's Grouper, are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they start life as females and can change to males as they mature. In the aquarium, breeding Howland's Grouper is quite challenging due to their size and the complexity of mimicking their natural spawning conditions.

Habitat

Epinephelus howlandi is found in the Pacific Ocean, particularly around Howland Island. They prefer reef environments where they can find ample cover and hunting grounds. In the wild, they are typically found at depths that may range from shallow waters to deeper reef slopes.