Page 273 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

BATFISH • GROUPERS AND GRUNTS 271

GROUPERS AND GRUNTS

These colorful fish are not especially difficult
to maintain in aquarium surroundings, but they
will grow to a large size and so will eventually
require a spacious setup. This needs to be taken
into consideration from the outset, since it is not
easy to find new homes for such fish once
they have outgrown the average-sized home
aquarium. While some groupers and grunts are
shoaling fish, others tend to seek out suitable
retreats on the reef where they can lurk. Sexing
can be difficult, since many species show
hermaphrodite characteristics and are able to
change gender to suit their environment.
The markings of groupers, such as this Blacktip Grouper
(Epinephelus fasciatus), can be quite variable.

Anisotremus virginicus Cromileptes altivelis Liopropoma rubre
Porkfish Panther Grouper Swiss Guard Basslet

ORIGINS Occurs throughout the Caribbean region, from ORIGINS East Africa across the Pacific to Japan, ORIGINS Caribbean region, from Florida down to the
Florida down to the northern coast of South America. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, and Vanuatu. Venezuelan coast.
SIZE 12 in (30 cm). SIZE 27 in (70 cm). SIZE 4 in (10 cm).
DIET Fresh or thawed meat-based foods. DIET Dried and thawed marine foods. DIET Fresh and thawed marine foods, as well as flake.
WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline
(pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024. (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024. (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
TEMPERAMENT Preys on invertebrates. TEMPERAMENT Will prey on smaller companions. TEMPERAMENT Mixes well.
The spotted appearance of these distinctive fish
becomes more pronounced with age. Panther
Groupers have prodigious appetites and grow fast,
so it is important that the filtration system in
their aquarium is effective enough to handle the
resulting volume of waste. Loss of appetite in this
species often signals a deterioration of water
quality, in which pH can drop markedly.

Raised
dorsal fin
Porkfish are members of the grunt These small, attractive fish are ideal for a mixed-
family— a name derived from their ability to species aquarium, where they tend to occupy
produce sounds that resemble the grunts of pigs. the area from midwater downward. They are
They have a long, steep forehead and large eyes. adept at hiding away in nooks and crevices,
Juveniles differ markedly from the adult seen proving to be rather shy by nature. Their
above, having black stripes running the length of unusual common name reflects the fact that
their bodies and a distinctive black blotch on the their coloration resembles the uniform of the
caudal peduncle. Papal Swiss Guard based in Vatican City.

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