ExpertAggressiveNot Reef Safe

Red Grouper

Epinephelus morio

Family: Serranidae · Groupers & Basslets

Also known as: Red Hind, Cherna Americana

Max Size

50"

Min Tank

500 gal

Lifespan

25-30 years

Origin

Western Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico

Diet

Carnivore

Swims

Bottom

About

The Red Grouper is one of the most commercially important grouper species in the Western Atlantic, recognized by its reddish-brown coloration with lighter blotches and spots. Reaching up to 50 inches in length, it is a large and powerful predator that plays a key role in reef ecosystems as a habitat engineer, excavating sediment from reef structures to create shelters.

In the wild, Red Groupers are found on rocky and coral reefs throughout the Western Atlantic, from Massachusetts to Brazil including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. They are unique among groupers for their habitat modification behavior, actively clearing sediment from reef cavities to create clean hard substrate used by themselves and numerous other species.

Due to its large adult size of up to 50 inches, the Red Grouper is a public aquarium species only and is completely unsuitable for home aquariums. Expert-level care with industrial-grade life support systems is required. Only institutional facilities with massive systems should consider housing this species.

Feeding & Diet

Carnivore

A carnivorous predator that feeds on fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods. In institutional settings, feed a varied diet of whole fish, squid, shrimp, and other marine protein sources. Adults should be fed every 2-3 days with appropriately sized prey items.

Compatibility

predatorpublic-aquariumlarge-fish-onlyhigh-bioload

The Red Grouper is an aggressive predator that will consume any tankmate it can overpower. In public aquarium settings, house with other very large species such as sharks, rays, large moray eels, and similarly massive groupers. Note that this species will actively modify its habitat by moving substrate.

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Breeding

Not bred in captivity

Red Groupers are protogynous hermaphrodites that transition from female to male at approximately 7-14 years of age. They spawn in pairs or small groups rather than large aggregations. Captive breeding is not feasible due to the species' massive size and complex reproductive behavior.