Common name: rockfish
General information
The Black Grouper, Mycteroperca bonaci, is a robust and attractive fish that is a popular target for both commercial and recreational fishers. In the aquarium trade, it is appreciated for its striking appearance, with a dark, greyscale body and a pattern of rectangular blotches that provide excellent camouflage against rocky substrates. This species is also known for its intelligence and can become quite personable with its caretakers.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 750 liter (200 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 22 to 28 °C (72 to 82 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 7.8 to 8.4
- Average size
- 1 m (3′3″)
- Care level
- Moderate to difficult Requires large tank and hiding spots
- Diet
- Carnivore Prefers live fish and crustaceans
- Social
- Solo Territorial, best kept alone
- Reefsafe
- No May eat smaller fish and inverts
- Aggression
- Semi aggresive Can be aggressive, especially to smaller fish
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerciformesPerciformes
- FamilyGroupersSerranidae
- GenusGrouperMycteroperca
- SpeciesrockfishMycteroperca bonaci (Poey, 1860)
- SynonymsBonaci arara Parra, 1787Mycteroperca bonaci xanthosticta Jordan & Swain, 1885Mycteroperca bonaci xanthosticta Jordan & Swain, 1885Serranus arara Storer, 1860Serranus bonaci Poey, 1860Serranus brunneus Poey, 1860Serranus cyclopomatus Poey, 1861Serranus decimalis Poey, 1860Serranus latepictus Poey, 1861Trisotropis aguaji Poey, 1867
Care
Black Groupers require large aquariums due to their potential size, often reaching lengths of over 3 feet in the wild. They need ample swimming space and rockwork to mimic their natural habitat. A varied diet of meaty foods such as fish, squid, and crustaceans is essential for their health. Due to their size and predatory nature, tankmates should be chosen carefully to avoid predation.
Reproduction
In the wild, Black Groupers are protogynous hermaphrodites, starting life as females and transitioning to males as they mature. Breeding in captivity is rare and challenging, often requiring specialized setups to mimic the natural cues for spawning.
Habitat
Black Groupers are found in the western Atlantic Ocean, from Massachusetts to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. They prefer reef environments, often seen in depths ranging from shallow waters to over 100 meters. They utilize the complex structure of reefs for both hunting and protection from larger predators.