Miniatus grouper (Cephalopholis miniatus) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Coral grouper, Coral hind, Coral rock cod, Coral trout, Round-tailed trout, Vermilion seabass
Family
Serranidae (groupers and sea basses)
Origin
Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and Durban east to the Line Islands, southern Japan to northern Australia; clear coral reefs, 2–150 m.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
45 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.020–1.025
Minimum tank
1000 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
aggressive
Reef safe
no

Care

Tank and decor: a large fish-only system with caves and overhangs. The tank size given is an estimate based on its adult size and territorial habits. Strong filtration is needed. Water: the sources give no species-specific figures, so the values here are general marine aquarium guidance: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4 and specific gravity 1.020–1.025. Keep nitrate low and the water well oxygenated. Behaviour: territorial. In the wild a male holds a large territory containing a harem of up to 12 females. Identification: orange to red with many small blue spots. The correct spelling of the scientific name is Cephalopholis miniata. The list gives 45 cm; the article gives up to 50 cm. Trade: popular in public aquaria and a minor part of the hobby trade; also an important food fish. 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/Cephalopholisminiata). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A predator: in the wild over 80% of its diet is small fish (mainly anthias), ambushed from cover, with the rest crustaceans. Feed meaty marine foods such as fish, prawn and squid two or three times a week.

Breeding

A protogynous hermaphrodite: fish start as females and some later change to male. Not bred in home aquaria.

Compatibility and tank mates

Not reef safe: it will eat any fish, shrimp or crab it can swallow. Keep with large, robust fish such as big angelfish, tangs and triggerfish.

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

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.