Leopard Grouper

[janestar]

Would a Leopard (Panther) Grouper eat Clown fish? My husband said he heard splashing in the tank last night but didn't think much of it since the lights were already out. This morning there is no sign of them. I didn't see any signs of distress in them when I turned out the light.
This morning the Grouper hasn't come out to feed. They weren't the tiniest of clown fish. They grouper is maybe 4-5 inches. I feel sick!

If so is my grouper going to be die after eating this much?

 

[rcreations]

Definitely. Groupers can eat some pretty large fish. As long as they can fit in its large mouth, they're considered food. Sorry about your clowns. The grouper will be fine.

 

[janestar]

I am still in shock. Thanks for the info!

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by Janestar
http:///forum/post/3160648
I am still in shock. Thanks for the info!

Another reason to do all research before putting critters together. Your next buy should be a good fish book so you will know what gets along with what.
So sorry to hear of your loss, I know its a horrible feeling to lose a fish to an eater. I personally will never own another anemone. ( that was my fish eater)

 

[srfisher17]

If your profile is current; that grouper will quickly outgrow your 60 gal. These fish grow very fast and (IMO) turn uglier as they grow, they sure are cute when tiny, though. They can easily reach 18" and one large web-dealer suggests 300 gal as a minimum tank size. You have also found out that they have an incredible appetite. On the plus side, they are considered a delicacy. As Flower said above, research before you buy is vital for success in this addiction; the lfs will sell you anything and there are zillions of fish combinations that just don't work.

 

[janestar]

Yes, so I understand. This fish will need to be returned to the lfs, I am just really surprised that it hasn't picked off my blue devil damsel which is smaller or close to the same size as the clowns were. They have been together since April. and there has been no issue sigh

sadly I don't look forward to moving all the rocks in order to catch him.

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by Janestar
http:///forum/post/3160879
Yes, so I understand. This fish will need to be returned to the lfs, I am just really surprised that it hasn't picked off my blue devil damsel which is smaller or close to the same size as the clowns were. They have been together since April. and there has been no issue sigh

sadly I don't look forward to moving all the rocks in order to catch him.
Here's something I just copy & paste for folks wanting to get rid of damsels. I'm sure it will work great on your grouper. Sounds weird, but works. You may want to leave the grouper until he does eat the damsel---sooner or later you'll want the little monster out.
"This may have been me, I always suggest this; but most people think its
silly...until they try it. Tiny hook (hair hook, used to catch bait. Flatten the
barb and bait with a bit of raw shrimp..after the little monster has been eating
it for a day or two. A lfs called me several times, when I I lived in another
state, to help them get unwanted fish out of customer's tanks (almost always
damsels). I never failed, nor hurt a fish (much). I think this one of the most
common questions on this forum. I suspect it is often the result of lfs selling
damsels as "cycle starters".. I'll bet I've posted this reply 20 times; I'm
going to copy & save it...I type very slowly. BTW, I never heard from anyone
that tried this and failed, but have heard several success stories. IMO, it is
no big deal on the fish, far less stressful ,(on the damsel AND tankmates),than
tearing a tank apart."

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by Janestar
http:///forum/post/3160879
Yes, so I understand. This fish will need to be returned to the lfs, I am just really surprised that it hasn't picked off my blue devil damsel which is smaller or close to the same size as the clowns were. They have been together since April. and there has been no issue sigh

sadly I don't look forward to moving all the rocks in order to catch him.

Damsels are aggressive enough to hold their own. All that went wrong is that you mixed fish together that don't coexist. So just do a little homework to see what gets along with the fish you have. Then decide if you would rather get rid of them for other fish.
The Damsel will kill most fish you put into the tank with them. Here you are worried about the grouper. You can keep the grouper for a while before it gets too big.

 

[renogaw]

odd, i've got a damsel with 7 other fish... hasn't killed anything...

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by renogaw
http:///forum/post/3160918
odd, i've got a damsel with 7 other fish... hasn't killed anything...

My experiance...depends on the type and age of the damsel as to how aggressive they are...but with other compatable fish, damsels will be fine...
Once adult, they will bite your hand and draw blood if you put it in the tank. A Royal gramma doesn't stand a chance in a tank with a mature damsel.

 

[janestar]

Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3160986

My experiance...depends on the type and age of the damsel as to how aggressive they are...but with other compatable fish, damsels will be fine...
Once adult, they will bite your hand and draw blood if you put it in the tank. A Royal gramma doesn't stand a chance in a tank with a mature damsel.
What about my clown trigger? it is about two inches. It will hold its own right? I am making a trip to the lfs tomorrow for some returning. But I am so scared that he will go after something else before hand.

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by Janestar
http:///forum/post/3161409
What about my clown trigger? it is about two inches. It will hold its own right? I am making a trip to the lfs tomorrow for some returning. But I am so scared that he will go after something else before hand.

Do yourself a huge favor...the next purchase should be a book on fish...
Marine Fishes by: Scott W Mitchael..a pocket expert guide.
Pick a fish...This book tells you its adult size, and the smallest tank you can keep it in. The food it needs, if it is reef safe, and most important, what other fish it can live with.
The pocket guide books also has one for inverts.
It is small enough to take with you to the LFS and it will save you allot of money and heart ache.

 

[lion_crazz]

Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3161412

Do yourself a huge favor...the next purchase should be a book on fish...
Marine Fishes by: Scott W Mitchael..a pocket expert guide.
Pick a fish...This book tells you its adult size, and the smallest tank you can keep it in. The food it needs, if it is reef safe, and most important, what other fish it can live with.
The pocket guide books also has one for inverts.
It is small enough to take with you to the LFS and it will save you allot of money and heart ache.
Yep, this is a great suggestion. That way, you cannot get mislead about what kind of fish will and will not do well in your current tank set-up.

 

[janestar]

Thanks for all the thoughtful replies.

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by Janestar
http:///forum/post/3161637
Thanks for all the thoughtful replies.

I finally got my scanner and printer up (my computer crashed) Here is a picture of the books you need. I copied a page so you can see the info. The invert book has the same type of info and set up the same way. You can get it online, or at *****, that's where I got mine. They may not have good fish to buy, but they have great stuff for all kinds of critters, and lots of pet books.
I love these books, they are so helpful, and I recommend them to everyone. I hope you don't think I was being mean when I said get a book. Everyone who has any success do lots of research to get our critters to survive. Books are the front line of success. We really want to help you and your critters...

 

[janestar]

No this looks great thanks. I will see if I can order this up on Amazon tonight. I returned my grouper and his black velvet damsel friend to the lfs tonight. I was sad to see them go, but my tank needed some rest.

I just hope they find a good home. I didn't pick up anymore fish though. Just water and food.

 

[fishon]

I actually have both at work. Marine fish and invertebrates! I work at a LPS and both of these books are very helpful everyday. I'm still a beginner and i have a lot to learn in saltwater. I am actually a reptile specialist and have taken a liking to fish and saltwater because of work.

 

[janestar]

Originally Posted by FishOn
http:///forum/post/3174131
I actually have both at work. Marine fish and invertebrates! I work at a LPS and both of these books are very helpful everyday. I'm still a beginner and i have a lot to learn in saltwater. I am actually a reptile specialist and have taken a liking to fish and saltwater because of work.
Oh reptiles interest me! What would be a good hardy reptile for a science classroom grades K-4? I have red ear sliders currently but my boss was all hoping for a lizard of some kind. I just want to invest in the right one that would be appropriate for that age.
Thanks.

 

[garick]

Crested Geckos make excellent easy to care for animals. They eat fruit and insects. Require no UV lighting and minimal heating. Relatively friendly but can climb anything including glass. Like any reptile, their tail can be pulled off however unlike other reptiles their tail will not grow back, though losing their tail will not affect their health.