Orange spot grouper (Cephalopholis panamensis) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Pacific graysby, Panama graysby, Panamic graysby
Family
Serranidae (groupers and sea basses)
Origin
Eastern Pacific, from the Gulf of California to northern Peru, including the Galápagos and Cocos Island; rocky shores and coral reefs.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
30 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.020–1.025
Minimum tank
600 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
no
Lifespan
Up to 16 years years

Care

Tank and decor: a fish-only system with caves and ledges. The tank size given is an estimate based on its adult size. 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: lives in harems of one male and several females; pairs court in the evening. It prefers shallower, warmer water than many relatives. Identification: the list gives 30 cm; the article gives up to 39 cm, though about 20 cm is more usual. Status: IUCN Least Concern. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cephalopholispanamensis). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Eats fish and crustaceans. Offer a varied diet of meaty marine foods such as fish, prawn, squid and mysis.

Breeding

A protogynous hermaphrodite: females mature at about 17 cm and change to male at about 20 cm and at least three years old. In the Gulf of California it spawns around the full moon from May to September. Not bred in home aquaria.

Compatibility and tank mates

Not reef safe: it eats small fish and crustaceans. Keep with fish too big to swallow.

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

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