All fish / Serranidae

Peacock Grouper

Cephalopholis argus

Also known as peacock hind, blue-spotted grouper, argus grouper, bluespotted hind, roi, peacock rockcod, argus hind, ปลากะรังจุดฟ้า, kerapu, アオノメハタ, 斑点九棘鲈, 眼斑石斑鱼

A dark brown grouper covered in small blue spots ringed with black, often with pale bars towards the tail. Keepers like it for its striking pattern, hardiness and bold, personable behaviour in large predator systems.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

40 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

750 litres

Keep as

Keep singly

Diet

Carnivore: whole fish, prawns, squid, krill and other meaty marine foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 20 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to French Polynesia; introduced to Hawaii

Breeding

It is a protogynous hermaphrodite that lives in harems of females guarded by one male and scatters pelagic eggs. Captive breeding in home aquariums has not been achieved.

Good to know

It reaches around 40 to 55 cm and will swallow any fish or crustacean that fits in its mouth, so only house it with large, robust tankmates. It is reported in some regions as a ciguatera risk when eaten.