Common name: Yellowbelly rockcod
General information
The Dusky Grouper, scientifically known as Epinephelus marginatus, is a robust and striking fish that is a favorite among advanced aquarists. It is known for its distinctive body shape, with a wide mouth and a heavyset, elongated body that can reach up to a meter in length in the wild. The coloration of this species varies from a dusky grey to brown with darker spots and a yellowish belly, which is the origin of its other common names, Yellowbelly Rockcod and Yellowbelly Grouper.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 500 liter (130 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 22 to 28 °C (72 to 82 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8.1 to 8.4
- Average size
- 95 cm (3′1″)
- Care level
- Moderate to difficult Sensitive to water quality.
- Diet
- Carnivore Prefers live or frozen foods.
- Social
- Solo Territorial, best kept alone.
- Reefsafe
- No May eat smaller fish/inverts.
- Aggression
- Aggresive Aggressive, especially when mature.
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerciformesPerciformes
- FamilyGroupersSerranidae
- GenusGrouperEpinephelus
- SpeciesYellowbelly rockcodEpinephelus marginatus (Lowe, 1834)
- SynonymsCerna gigas (Brünnich, 1768)Cernua gigas Costa, 1849Epinephelus brachysoma Cope, 1871Epinephelus gigas (Brünnich, 1768)Epinephelus guaza (Linnaeus, 1758)Epinephelus gvaza Linnaeus, 1758Holocentrus gigas (Brünnich, 1768)Mycteroperca marginata (Lowe, 1834)Perca gigas Brünnich, 1768Serranus aspersus Jenyns, 1840Serranus cernioides de Brito Capello, 1867Serranus fimbriatus Lowe, 1838Serranus gigas (Brünnich, 1768)Serranus marginatus Lowe, 1834
Care
Due to their potential size and territorial nature, Dusky Groupers require a very large aquarium with plenty of open swimming space and rockwork to provide hiding places. They are carnivorous and need a diet consisting of meaty foods such as fish, squid, and crustaceans. It's important to feed them a varied diet to ensure proper nutrition.
Reproduction
In the wild, Dusky Groupers are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they start life as females and can change to males as they mature. They are not commonly bred in captivity due to their size and complex life cycle.
Habitat
Dusky Groupers are found in the Eastern Atlantic, from the British Isles to South Africa, including the Mediterranean and Black Sea. They prefer rocky substrates and seagrass beds, typically at depths ranging from 10 to 200 meters. In the aquarium, their habitat should be emulated with ample rockwork and a sandy bottom to mimic their natural environment.