Stocking A Predatory FOWLR Tank Questions... Grouper, Grouper, Grouper! :)

[WillLevantovsky]

Hi!

i am slowly realizing more and more of how limited i am (fish wise) in my 55 gallon reef, therefore i am setting up a new 75 gallon predatory FOWLR grow out tank (not worried about fish getting to big as i have lots of friends with lots of big tanks) Its currently cyling with 100 lbs of Live rock and arag sand....

My main questions is- What is the most beautiful, not skittish AND PREDATORY Grouper that there is?

Also, what are some good tank mates for him? I was thinking A Fuzzy Dwarf lion and a niger trigger... any other suggestions?

Thanks,

Will

[r2nj]

I've had a number of groupers. I think the miniatis is the most beautiful. However, most naturally hide in rocks until feeding time. The only one that I know of that swims (more) freely is the panther grouper, which doesn't "act" or swim like your typical grouper. Less aggressive triggers and puffers are good tank mates.

One thing about groupers is they grow FAST! So I'd give your buddies a heads up (soon). It will quickly outgrow even your 75 gallon tank.

[LisaD]

IME most groupers are going to lurk in the rocks as shy fish.

I get attached to my fish, which is why I have been upgrading every few years.

Are you sure you want to spend a fair amount of money on fish that will quickly outgrow your tank?

If not, you should either get a larger tank to start with (minimum 125) or select smaller versions of the fish you want - e.g. filefish for trigger, basslet for grouper, dwarf lionfish.

For doing species research, wetwebmedia is a great site. Here is a link to some information on groupers:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/basses.htm

[SDguy]

I really like Lisa's suggestions. I "miniaturized" version of a predatory tank would be very cool, and satisfying for many years. Trust me, unloading large, predatory fish is not fun or easy, regardless of what your friends might say now

Have you considered hamlets? Kind of sort of grouper like, and stay relatievly small, and some have gorgeous colors!
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/hypoplec.htm

I recently saw a solid metallic blue one at a LFS - stunning!

[LisaD]

My 55 gallon planted predator reef had:

Green wolf eel blenny (like an eel)
Marine betta (kind of a gorgeous grouper)
Hawaiian spotted sharpnose puffer
Leopard toby (another puffer)

[perfect_prefect]

if you are dead set on a grouper i would have to recommend a honeycomb, it doesnt come out and swim around alot but if you arrange your rocks where it will be visible (use all large rocks and make visible caves) you will be able to see it all the time. it is a hell of a site to see it streak across a tank and grab food. its like a lightning bolt coming out of nowhere, they stay smaller and would be suited for a 75 gallon tank as long as you dont have very many (only 1-2) tankmates that cant fit in its mouth, and a powerful skimmer.

[Eel Freak]

If you must have one, I would have to suggest a Black-tip. They are a little on the aggressive side but don't get too large (mine seems to have peaked at 8")... Just have big tank-mates and a big skimmer.

[Snausy]

Some people know by now I'm a puffer freak but I'll say it again. Get a puffer. Dogface puffers have some cool color-morphs and are much more fun to watch than groupers.

75g isn't much bigger than 55g. If you are talking groupers you should be thinking about 300g ime. Your 75 won't hold one for very long(relatively speaking).