Common name: blacksaddled coralgrouper
General information
The Leopard Coral Grouper, also known as the Blue-spotted Grouper or Peacock Grouper, is a strikingly beautiful fish that adds a splash of color to any marine aquarium. Its body is adorned with a pattern of blue spots and blotches, which stand out against its yellowish to greenish-brown base color. This species is part of the Serranidae family, which is known for its members' robust build and predatory nature.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 1,000 liter (260 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.026
- Temperature
- 24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 7.8 to 8.4
- Average size
- 1.2 m (3′11″)
- Care level
- Moderate to easy Requires large space and hiding spots
- Diet
- Carnivore Prefers live fish and meaty foods
- Social
- Solo Territorial, best kept alone
- Reefsafe
- No May prey on smaller tank mates
- Aggression
- Aggresive Aggressive, especially during feeding
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerciformesPerciformes
- FamilyGroupersSerranidae
- GenusCoral TroutPlectropomus
- Speciesblacksaddled coralgrouperPlectropomus laevis (Lacepède, 1801)
- SynonymsBodianus cyclostomus Lacepède, 1802Bodianus melanoleucos Lacepède, 1802Bodianus melanoleucus Lacepède, 1802Labrus laevis Lacepède, 1801Paracanthistius melanoleucus (Lacepède, 1802)Plectropoma melanoleucum (Lacepède, 1802)Plectropomous laevis (Lacepède, 1801)Plectropomus maculatum melanoleucum (Lacepède, 1802)Plectropomus melanoleucus (Lacepède, 1802)
Care
Leopard Coral Groupers require a spacious aquarium with plenty of hiding places due to their size and territorial behavior. They are carnivorous and need a diet of meaty foods such as fish, squid, and crustaceans. It's important to feed them a varied diet to ensure proper nutrition. Due to their predatory instincts, they should not be kept with small fish or invertebrates that could be seen as prey.
Reproduction
In the wild, Leopard Coral Groupers are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they start life as females and can change to males as they mature. In the aquarium, breeding these groupers can be challenging due to their size and the need for precise environmental conditions.
Habitat
Plectropomus laevis 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 found in lagoons and on outer reef slopes, typically at depths ranging from 3 to 100 meters.