Common name: rockcod

General information

The White-lined Grouper, scientifically known as Epinephelus multinotatus, is a striking species appreciated by aquarists for its unique appearance. It is characterized by its light tan to yellowish body adorned with multiple thin white lines running both horizontally and vertically, creating a grid-like pattern. This species is part of the family Serranidae, which includes groupers and sea basses known for their robust bodies and predatory nature.

Care

White-lined Groupers require a spacious aquarium due to their potential size, reaching up to 60 cm in length. They are carnivorous and need a diet consisting of meaty foods such as fish, squid, and crustaceans. It's important to provide a varied diet to ensure proper nutrition. These groupers are territorial and may show aggression towards other tank mates, especially smaller fish, so careful selection of compatible species is crucial.

Reproduction

In the wild, groupers are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they start life as females and can change to males as they mature. This change is often triggered by social factors such as the absence of a dominant male. In the aquarium setting, breeding White-lined Groupers is challenging and rarely achieved by hobbyists.

Habitat

The White-lined 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. They can be found at depths ranging from 4 to 60 meters, where they utilize the complex reef structure for shelter and hunting grounds.

Geographical distribution includes areas such as the Red Sea, East Africa, the Maldives, Indonesia, northern Australia, and the central Pacific islands.