Common name: Mambo
General information
The Barred-cheek Coral Trout, Plectropomus oligacanthus, is a species of grouper found in coral reefs across the Indo-Pacific region. It is known for its striking appearance, with a pattern of bars and spots that provide excellent camouflage among the reef. This species is part of the family Serranidae, which includes groupers and sea basses.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 500 liter (130 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.026
- Temperature
- 24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8.1 to 8.4
- Average size
- 70 cm (2′4″)
- Care level
- Moderate to difficult Sensitive to water quality.
- Diet
- Carnivore Prefers live fish & shrimp.
- Social
- Solo Territorial, best kept alone.
- Reefsafe
- No May prey on small fish.
- Aggression
- Semi aggresive Aggressive, especially to conspecifics.
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerciformesPerciformes
- FamilyGroupersSerranidae
- GenusCoral TroutPlectropomus
- SpeciesMamboPlectropomus oligacanthus (Bleeker, 1855)
- SynonymsPlectropoma oligacanthus Bleeker, 1855Plectropoma variegatum Castelnau, 1875Plectropomus oligocanthus (Bleeker, 1855)
Care
Barred-cheek Coral Trout require a spacious aquarium with plenty of hiding places and room to swim. They are carnivorous and need a diet of meaty foods such as fish, squid, and crustaceans. It's important to note that they can grow quite large and may become aggressive towards smaller tank mates, so careful consideration of the community is essential.
Reproduction
In the wild, Plectropomus oligacanthus exhibits protogynous hermaphroditism, where individuals start life as females and can change to males as they mature. In the aquarium, breeding these fish can be challenging due to their size and the need for precise environmental conditions.
Habitat
Barred-cheek Coral Trout are found in the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific. They prefer reef environments with plenty of cover and can be found at various depths, often on outer reef slopes or drop-offs.