Common name: Giant Grouper
General information
The Giant Grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus), also known as the Queensland Grouper or Brindlebass, is the largest bony fish found in coral reefs and is widely recognized for its impressive size and presence. This species is not commonly kept in home aquariums due to its massive size, which can reach up to 2.7 meters in length and weigh as much as 400 kilograms. However, juvenile specimens are sometimes kept by advanced hobbyists with very large tanks.
The Giant Grouper has a broad, stout body with a large mouth and is typically brownish-yellow in color with irregular dark spots that provide camouflage among the reef.
Details
- Recommended minimum volume
- 5,000 liter (1,300 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 22 to 30 °C (72 to 86 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8.1 to 8.4
- Average size
- 2.5 m (8′2″)
- Care level
- Very difficult Requires very large systems
- Diet
- Carnivore Prefers live fish and crustaceans
- Social
- Solo Highly territorial
- Reefsafe
- No May eat smaller tank mates
- Aggression
- Aggresive Predatory towards other fish
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerch-like FishesPerciformes
- FamilyGroupersSerranidae
- GenusGrouperEpinephelus
- SpeciesGiant GrouperEpinephelus lanceolatus (Bloch, 1790)
- SynonymsBatrachus gigas Günther, 1869Holocentrus lanceolatus Bloch, 1790Oligorus goliath De Vis, 1882Oligorus terrae-reginae Ramsay, 1880Promicrops lanceolatus (Bloch, 1790)Serranus abdominalis Peters, 1855Serranus geographicus Valenciennes, 1828Serranus lanceolatus (Bloch, 1790)Serranus phaeostigmaeus Fowler, 1907Stereolepoides thompsoni Fowler, 1923
Care
Due to their potential size, Giant Groupers require extremely large and robust aquarium systems, often beyond the scope of typical home aquariums. Juveniles may be kept in large tanks but will quickly outgrow them. They are carnivorous and require a diet of meaty foods such as fish, squid, and crustaceans. It is crucial to ensure that their dietary needs are met with appropriately sized and nutritionally balanced offerings.
Reproduction
Giant Groupers are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they start life as females and can change to males as they mature. Spawning occurs in aggregations, and fertilization is external. In the aquarium, breeding Giant Groupers is not feasible due to their size and the complexity of replicating their natural spawning conditions.
Habitat
The Giant Grouper is found in the Indo-Pacific region, inhabiting coral reefs, rocky areas, and estuaries. They prefer clear waters where they can use their size and strength to dominate their territory and prey. Juveniles are often found in shallower waters, while adults tend to be in deeper areas, sometimes down to 100 meters.