Leopard Grouper, also known as the Golden Grouper, is a type of marine fish.
It belongs to the Epinephelinae subfamily, which is part of the Serranidae family that includes anthias and sea basses.
This fish lives in the Eastern Central Pacific and sometimes appears in aquariums. Leopard groupers like rocky areas in shallow waters around 50 meters deep.
Adult leopard groupers mainly feed on flatiron herring and anchoveta fish, although they may resort to other schooling or non-schooling fish in the absence of their preferred prey.
They usually feed at dawn or dusk, with their peak activity happening about 20 minutes after sunset.
Younger leopard groupers eat various bottom-dwelling fish and crustaceans throughout the day. Leopard grouper is not safe for reef aquariums.
Leopard Grouper Interesting Facts
- Leopard groupers are marine fish found in the Eastern Central Pacific, living near reefs at depths of 1 to 50 meters.
- They feed mainly on flatiron herring and anchoveta at dawn or dusk, with peak activity around 20 minutes after sunset.
- Younger leopard groupers eat bottom-dwelling fish and crustaceans during the day.
- These fish can grow up to 33.9 inches (86.0 centimeters) long, weigh up to 9.6 kg, and have a body color that ranges from greenish to greyish-brown with reddish-brown spots.
Leopard Grouper Habitat
Leopard grouper is found in the Eastern Central Pacific region. Its habitat stretches from the southwest coast of Baja California to Jalisco, Mexico.
This marine fish lives near reefs and can be found at depths of 1 to 50 meters.
It thrives in tropical waters, with a range from 33°N to 15°N latitude and 115°W to 98°W longitude.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Leopard Grouper Physical Characteristics
Size: 33.9 inches (86.0 centimeters)
Leopard grouper grows up to 33.9 inches (86.0 centimeters) long and weighs up to 9.6 kg.
This fish has 11 dorsal spines, 16 to 18 dorsal soft rays, 3 anal spines, and 10 to 11 anal soft rays.
Its body color ranges from greenish to greyish-brown with small reddish-brown spots and pale lines.
The fins have white edges, and some groupers are bright yellow-orange with black spots.
Their body depth is about 3 times shorter than their length, and they have a head that’s roughly one-third of their body length.
Adult leopard groupers’ gill covers have a slightly serrated edge, and their large nostrils are 2 to 3 times bigger than the smaller ones.
Leopard Grouper Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Serranidae |
| Genus: | Mycteroperca |
| Scientific Name: | Mycteroperca rosacea |
| Also Known As: | Leopard Grouper, Golden Grouper |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |