anyone keep groupers in a reef tank?

[fungia]

i got a crazy idea at the lfs, i saw a miniatus grouper that i fell in love with but i want to go reef. any body try a grouper in a reef tank?

 

[Anonymous]

I did not, but I heard you can't have anything that is alive and small enough to fit thru the mouth... it can open up pretty big too.

 

[liquid]

You got a big enough tank?

Shane

 

[Anonymous]

Tank size isn't so much an issue, as groupers come as small as 3". You just have to choose species appropriate to the size of your tank. Most of the more attractive species among the larger fish are in the 11-16" range, which means you need a tank of at least 180 gallons capacity.
One of the best species for a reef tank is E. ongus, as it only attains a maximum adult size of 11" or so, and will probabley remain smaller in your tank. Aside from a few more representatives of the Epinephelus genus, such as E. merra, most of the rest of the appropriate groupers fall into the "hind" category. This would be the Cephalopholis genus. This includes species such as miniata, argus, etc. Great fish!
Groupers are great reef inhabitants for a predatory reef tank, the only limitation being that they will eat smaller fish, and any shrimp you try and keep with them.
Cheers
Jim

 

[Deo]

I used to have 1 red grouper and 1 black grouper in a 75 gal tank. They grew from 2 in to 8 inches in 1 year. Then i decided to let them loose in the sea (coral habitat). Now i found a miniature yellow grouper. I think this one will not grow much 'cause i haven't seen a big yellow one in my life. Most common big ones are the red, black and brown.