Panther Grouper

The Panther Grouper (Cromileptes altivelis) is a large predatory reef fish from the Indo-Pacific, commonly found around coral reefs near places like Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and northern Australia. In aquariums it requires a very large tank because it can grow up to about 27 inches (70 cm) and grows quickly from its small juvenile size. A mature fish typically needs 300 gallons or more with strong filtration. Ideal water conditions are a temperature of 72–78°F (22–26°C) and salinity of about 1.023–1.025 with stable marine reef parameters. Panther groupers are carnivores, feeding on meaty foods such as shrimp, squid, fish, krill, and other marine seafood. Their temperament is generally semi-aggressive, but they are opportunistic predators that will eat any fish or invertebrate small enough to fit in their mouth, so they are not reef-safe and should only be kept with larger tankmates. Because of their rapid growth, heavy waste production, and predatory nature, they are usually recommended for experienced marine aquarists with very large predator tanks.