Blacksaddled Coral Grouper (Plectropomus laevis) Care Guide
Plectropomus laevis is a large Indo-Pacific coral grouper with two color phases and a piscivorous diet, requiring very large systems.
Overview
Plectropomus laevis, the blacksaddled coral grouper, is a large marine predator of the family Serranidae (subfamily Epinephelinae). It has an elongate, robust body and shows two distinct color phases: a whitish form with black saddles and yellow fins (the "footballer" phase), and a greyish form with a dark head and blue spots. It is native to the Indo-Pacific.
Taxonomy
- Family: Serranidae
- Subfamily: Epinephelinae
- Genus: Plectropomus
- Scientific name: Plectropomus laevis
Habitat
The species ranges across the Indo-Pacific from eastern Africa (Kenya to Mozambique) eastward to French Polynesia, north to southern Japan and south to Australia, including the Great Barrier Reef. It occupies coral-rich lagoon and seaward reefs, channels and outer shelf reefs at depths of 4 to 100 m.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 3000 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- Adult size: 70-110 cm (FishBase reports up to 125 cm in the wild)
- Lifespan: 15-25 years
Diet
Plectropomus laevis is a voracious piscivore. FishBase describes it feeding primarily on fishes, including other groupers, with occasional crustaceans; juveniles take small fish and invertebrates such as crustaceans and squid. Because of its large fish diet, the species can accumulate high concentrations of ciguatera toxin.
Compatibility
This is an aggressive, mid-water predator suited only to very large systems with similarly large tankmates. Any fish small enough to be swallowed will be eaten. Juveniles are Batesian mimics of Valentin's sharpnose puffer (Canthigaster valentini).
Breeding
The species is a monandric protogynous hermaphrodite. According to Wikipedia, females mature at about 2.2 years and around 40 cm fork length, and the fish form small spawning aggregations with eggs that float just below the surface. Captive breeding is regarded as expert-level.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2016). FishBase notes high vulnerability to fishing pressure.