Polka Dot Grouper

Facts about the Polka Dot Grouper, it is a grouper species that belongs to the genus Cromileptes of the Serranidae family. The scientific name of the fish is Chromileptes altivelis and it is commonly called the Barramundi Cod, Humpback Grouper, or Panther Grouper. These Polka Dot Groupers are regularly procured for their attractive swimming patterns, similar to a Clownfish. This charmer is an immense accumulation to a fish-only container that includes other big size fish. The Polka Dot Grouper will practically overlook every other fish species in the tank providing it cannot eat it.

The Polka Dot Grouper is capable of attaining a maximum body length of 28 inches (70 cm). The Polka Dot Grouper is famous for its arresting color pattern of bold black marks beside a white to creamy-grey color body. Juvenile groupers show fewer, bigger black marks, which will turn into smaller and more abundant while the fish matures.

The Polka Dot Grouper can be seen mostly in the Western Pacific Ocean, from the southern parts of Japan to Guam, Palau, New Caledonia, and in the southern parts of Queensland, Australia. The Polka Dot Grouper can also be seen in the Eastern parts of Indian Ocean, ranging from the Nicobars to Broome in Western Australia.

When the Polka Dot Grouper is disturbed, it will develop a fear coloration, in which big brown marks can be seen on its skin. This strange fish is unique in the middle of the groupers, as well, in having a long, slim head. Its head ascends sharply at the nape of its neck, offering the grouper the distinct humpback look, thus it is called as Humpback Grouper, as well. The elongated dorsal fin of the Polka Dot Grouper starts the crown of this hump and goes almost through the whole length of its body.

The Polka Dot Grouper is an ambush predator and it will spend most of its time in hiding and watching for trouble-free prey. It is supposed to be accommodated in big aquariums with fine filtration. Caution is supposed to be considered while adding this grouper to a community tank because it will consume any crustacean or fish, which may go into its mouth.

The Polka Dot Grouper is identified to be territorial and rather aggressive, chiefly towards small-size fish. This lonely predator conceals itself in the rocks prior to ambushing its prey, which usually includes crustaceans and fish. It is considered that the grouper's polka-dot design of coloration may disturb the curve of its body and thus assist hide it from its prey and prospective predators.

The Female Polka Dot Grouper lays eggs that are afterward fertilized by the male grouper externally. Both male and female groupers do not protect or guard the eggs or the young ones. Only female groupers hatch, with male groupers being produced as required by the leading females inside a group changing gender from female to male. If a male grouper expires, the next leading female will experience a gender change to restore him.

The Polka Dot Grouper is a Carnivorous grouper and if feeds on big-size fish and crustaceans in the wild. In the aquarium, the Polka Dot Groupers are fed with a diverse diet that consists of huge chunks of fleshy foods. These foods comprise krill, squid, raw table shrimp, mussel, and clam. In the captive, the Polka Dot Grouper is also supplemented with some kind of herbivore diet.

The maximum lifespan of the Polka Dot Grouper in the wild is 20 years, whereas in the captive, they can live more than 20 years.