All fish / Serranidae

Panther Grouper

Chromileptes altivelis

Also known as humpback grouper, polka dot grouper, barramundi cod, pantherfish, high-finned grouper, cromileptes, humpback rockcod, ปลาเก๋าหนู, kerapu tikus, サラサハタ, kerapu bebek, 老鼠斑

Juveniles are white with large black spots and swim with a charming head-down wobble, which makes them popular impulse buys. Adults become greyish with many smaller spots, a small head and a raised humped back.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

50 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

1500 litres

Keep as

Keep singly

Diet

Carnivore: fish, shrimp, squid and other meaty seafood

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

15 to 20 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean, from southern Japan to Australia

Breeding

It is a protogynous hermaphrodite that spawns in open water. It is bred commercially in Asian hatcheries for food, but breeding in home aquariums is not realistic.

Good to know

Grows to around 50 to 70 cm and will eat any fish or crustacean it can swallow, so small juveniles quickly outgrow typical tanks. The genus is now usually placed back as Chromileptes, and the species is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.