Humpback Grouper, also known as the Panther grouper or Barramundi Cod in Australia, is a type of marine fish.
It belongs to the Serranidae family, which includes anthias and sea basses too. This fish is found in the Western Pacific Ocean.
These groupers usually live in lagoons and reefs near the shore, often in dead or silty areas.
They can also be found around coral reefs and tide pools. Humpback groupers have a slow growth rate. They eat small fish and crustaceans.
Young humpback groupers are popular in the aquarium trade, while adults are used for food purposes.
These fish are also sold live at Hong Kong markets. However, they are not safe for reef tanks.
Humpback Grouper Interesting Facts
- Humpback grouper, a marine fish found in the Western Pacific and Eastern Indian Ocean, belongs to the Serranidae family.
- This fish thrives in reef-associated areas at depths of 2 to 40 meters and has a slow growth rate.
- In 1979, researchers achieved artificial spawning for this species, but larvae died seven days after hatching.
- Young humpback groupers are popular in the aquarium trade, while adults are used for food.
- These fish are not safe for reef tanks.
Humpback Grouper Habitat
Humpback grouper is found in the Western Pacific and Eastern Indian Ocean.
Its habitats range from southern Japan to Australia, including Palau, Guam, New Caledonia, Nicobar Islands, and Broome.
There are some unconfirmed reports of this fish in the western Indian Ocean and one likely valid report from Kenya.
The records in Hawaii may be due to the released aquarium fish.
This marine fish lives in reef-associated areas at depths between 2 to 40 meters (usually 5 to 25 meters).
It thrives in tropical regions with coordinates ranging from 32°N to 23°S and 88°E to 170°E.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Humpback Grouper Physical Characteristics
Size: 27.56 inches (70.0 centimeters)
Humpback grouper can grow up to 27.56 inches (70.0 centimeters) long. It has 10 spines on its dorsal fin and 17 to 19 soft rays.
On its anal fin, it has 3 spines and 9 to 10 soft rays. This fish has a distinct small head compared to the larger back part of its body.
It doesn’t have many teeth, except for a tiny pair at the front of its upper jaw. The nostril near the rear is slit-like in shape.
Its color ranges from greenish-white to light greenish-brown with black spots on the head, body, and fins.
The spots on the body are generally larger than those on the head and fins.
There may also be about nine large dark blotches on its body that sometimes extend into the base of dorsal and anal fins.
Some unique features include a moderately deep body (2.5 to 3 times smaller than its standard length), small eyes, a concave head profile, and a rounded tail fin.
Humpback Grouper Reproduction
In 1979, researchers Tang et al. achieved artificial spawning for this species.
The eggs produced were buoyant and measured about 0.8 mm across with a single oil droplet inside them.
However, the larvae died seven days after hatching.
Humpback Grouper Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Serranidae |
| Genus: | Cromileptes |
| Scientific Name: | Cromileptes altivelis |
| Also Known As: | Humpback Grouper, Panther grouper, Barramundi Cod |
| Conservation Status: | Data Deficient |