Crescent banded grunt (Terapon jarbua) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Jarbua terapon, Crescent grunter, Crescent perch, Target fish, Tiger perch, Thornfish, Spiky trumpeter
Family
Terapontidae (grunters)
Origin
Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa, Japan and Lord Howe Island; coasts, estuaries and lagoons.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
36 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.020–1.025
Minimum tank
800 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
aggressive
Reef safe
no

Care

The list gives no size; the article records up to 36 cm, with most around 25 cm. It tolerates a wide range of salinity, from fresh water to strong sea water, but breeds in the sea. It is sometimes sold as "target fish" for its curved bands. Tank size here is an estimate for an adult in a fish-only system. The sources give no water figures, so the temperature, pH and salinity shown are general marine aquarium guidance, not species-specific: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, specific gravity 1.020–1.025 (fish-only systems). Young fish shoal; from about 9–15 cm they become territorial. It is known to bite scales from other fish, and the dorsal fin carries sharp spines, so handle with care. Listed by the IUCN as Least Concern. Selling: our policies require the adult size and long-term tank needs to be stated clearly in the listing. Large fish must travel by a specialist live-animal courier (see the Livestock shipping guide). Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teraponjarbua). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A predator of smaller fish that also eats insects and other invertebrates, and picks parasites and scales from larger fish. In the aquarium give meaty foods such as chopped seafood, krill and pellets.

Breeding

Matures at about 13 cm and spawns in the sea. No captive breeding details are given.

Compatibility and tank mates

Not reef safe. Will eat small fish and nip scales from larger ones; keep with robust, larger fish only, or alone.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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