Spotted grouper (Epinephelus summana) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Summan grouper
Family
Serranidae (groupers and sea basses)
Origin
Western Indian Ocean including the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Socotra; shallow sheltered reefs, lagoons and reef slopes, 1–30 m.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
52 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.020–1.025
Minimum tank
1200 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
aggressive
Reef safe
no

Care

Tank and decor: a large fish-only system with caves. The tank size given is an estimate based on its adult size; the sources give no aquarium-specific information. 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: little has been published about its biology. Identification: dark with many pale spots that become more numerous towards the tail. Sometimes found in brackish water. Trade and status: occasionally traded and sold in local fish markets. IUCN: 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/Epinephelussummana). Checked October 2026.

Diet

The article gives no diet. As a grouper it is a predator; offer meaty marine foods such as fish, prawn and squid.

Breeding

Not described in the sources.

Compatibility and tank mates

Not reef safe: assume it will eat any fish or crustacean it can swallow. Keep with large, robust fish.

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

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