Humpback grouper

Humpback grouper
Humpback Grouper
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Serranidae
Genus: Chromileptes
Species: C. altivelis
Binomial name
Chromileptes altivelis
(Valenciennes, 1828)

The Humpback Grouper or Panther Grouper (Chromileptes altivelis), in Australia more commonly known as the Barramundi Cod, is a species of fish in the Serranidae family. It is found in Australia, China, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, New Caledonia, Northern Mariana Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Pitcairn, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, possibly Mozambique, and possibly Vanuatu. Its natural habitats are coral reefs and coastal saline lagoons. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Humpback grouper, labelled Spotted Barramundi specimen, Reef HQ, Townsville, Queensland.

In the Aquarium

The Panther Grouper is commonly kept in marine aquariums. Great care must be taken when purchasing this fish as it will reach a size of 50 cm (20 inches) and is a very fast growing fish. As this fish is typically sold while only a couple inches in length, it is often purchased while small only to outgrow the aquarium within months. Its large adult size and fast growth rate means it should only be kept in a 300 gallon aquarium or larger. It also must not be kept with fish such as damselfish which will be almost certainly eaten.

If kept in the proper conditions this is a very hardy, and long-lived fish.

References


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