Common name: rockfish
General information
The Yellowfin Grouper, Mycteroperca venenosa, is a striking species known for its vibrant coloration and large size. It is a member of the family Serranidae, which includes groupers and sea basses. This species is characterized by its olive or gray body with yellow spots and fins, and a distinctive yellow edge on its pectoral fins. Yellowfin Groupers can grow quite large, making them a notable presence in any large marine aquarium.
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
- 1 m (3′3″)
- Care level
- Moderate to difficult Sensitive to water quality.
- Diet
- Carnivore Prefers live fish and crustaceans.
- Social
- Solo Territorial, best kept alone.
- Reefsafe
- No May eat smaller fish and inverts.
- Aggression
- Semi aggresive Aggressive, especially during feeding.
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerciformesPerciformes
- FamilyGroupersSerranidae
- GenusGrouperMycteroperca
- SpeciesrockfishMycteroperca venenosa (Linnaeus, 1758)
- SynonymsBodianus apua Bloch, 1790Bodianus marginatus Bloch & Schneider, 1801Bonaci cardenal Parra, 1787Johnius guttatus Bloch & Schneider, 1801Mycteroperca bowersi Evermann & Marsh, 1900Perca venenosa Linnaeus, 1758Serranus cardinalis Valenciennes, 1828Serranus petrosus Poey, 1860Serranus rupestris Valenciennes, 1833Trisotropis venenosus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Care
Yellowfin Groupers require a spacious aquarium due to their potential size, often exceeding 80 centimeters in length. They are predatory fish and will eat smaller tank mates, so they should only be housed with other large or aggressive species. A varied diet of meaty foods such as fish, squid, and crustaceans is essential for their health. Due to their size and dietary needs, they are best suited for experienced aquarists with the capacity to maintain a large, well-filtered system.
Reproduction
In the wild, Yellowfin Groupers are protogynous hermaphrodites, starting life as females and transitioning to males as they mature. They form spawning aggregations, which makes them vulnerable to overfishing. In the aquarium, breeding is rare and challenging, requiring a very large system to accommodate their size and behavior.
Habitat
Yellowfin Groupers are found in the western Atlantic Ocean, from North Carolina to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. They inhabit coral and rocky reefs, often in deeper waters ranging from 10 to 100 meters. Their natural habitat includes ledges, caves, and crevices where they can ambush prey.