Common name: Summan grouper
General information
The Summan Grouper, scientifically known as Epinephelus summana, is a marine fish species that belongs to the family Serranidae. This species is not as common in the aquarium trade as other groupers, but it is appreciated for its striking appearance and behavior. The Summan Grouper has a robust body with a pattern of dark bars and lighter interspaces, which can vary in intensity.
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
- 50 cm (1′8″)
- Care level
- Moderate to difficult Sensitive to water quality.
- Diet
- Carnivore Prefers live or frozen food.
- Social
- Solo Territorial, best kept alone.
- Reefsafe
- No May eat smaller fish/inverts.
- Aggression
- Semi aggresive Can be aggressive, especially to smaller tank mates.
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerch-like FishesPerciformes
- FamilyGroupersSerranidae
- GenusGrouperEpinephelus
- SpeciesSumman grouperEpinephelus summana (Forsskål, 1775)
- SynonymsEpinephalus summana (Forsskål, 1775)Epinephelus sunmana (Forsskål, 1775)Perca summana Forsskål, 1775Perca summana koschar Walbaum, 1792Perca summana nilotica Forsskål, 1775Sebastes meleagris Peters, 1864Serranus leucostigma Valenciennes, 1828
Care
Summan Groupers require a large aquarium with plenty of swimming space and hiding places due to their size and territorial nature. They are carnivorous and should be fed a varied diet of meaty foods such as fish, squid, and crustaceans. It's important to note that they can grow quite large and may eat smaller tank mates, so careful consideration should be given to compatibility.
Reproduction
Like many groupers, the Summan Grouper is a protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning individuals start life as females and can change to males as they mature. In the aquarium, breeding is rare and challenging due to the need for precise environmental conditions and the difficulty in sexing the fish.
Habitat
The natural habitat of the Summan Grouper includes coral and rocky reefs in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. They are typically found at depths ranging from 2 to 60 meters. In the wild, they are solitary and territorial, often occupying a specific area of the reef.