Highfin Grouper

(Epinephelus maculatus)

Epinephelus Groupers should only be added to very large well established aquariums with plenty of rockwork with caves and crevices to hide in. Groupers are very secretive and will hide until food is presented. They have low metabolism's and only require feeding every other day. Groupers are usually very friendly fish except to fish or crustaceans they can fit in their mouth. Should be housed with larger peaceful tank mates and only one grouper per aquarium. Provide a diet of meaty enriched foods. If not eating offer live foods such as enriched Brine, Glass/Grass shrimp, black worms and fiddler crabs to entice a feeding response. Groupers emit large amounts of waste ensure the filtration system can handle the waste.

Highfin Grouper are also sometimes known as the Blackfin, Brown Spotted Rock, Marbled Rock Cod or Spotted Grouper. Rarely seen in the aquarium trade do to its very large size. Highfin Groupers have an overall tan colored body with dark spots. Highfin Groupers can grow to a little over 24".

We recommend a minimum aquarium size of 200 gallons or larger for this species.

Water conditions: Salinity 1.020 - 1.025, Temp (F) 72 - 78, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Alkalinity 8 - 12 dKH

  • Care: CareModerateModerate CareEasyEasy
  • Behavior: BehaviorAgressiveAgressive
  • Diet: DietFrozen FoodFrozen Food DietLive FoodLive Food
  • Habitat: HabitatReefReef
  • Light: LightHighHigh