Tank downsizing

[watertight]

My M. grouper is in a 8 foot x 2 foot tank all by himself, in my basement, since his tankmate (V.Lion) died last year. I'd really like to bring him upstairs, but I haven't got room for that tank up here. What would be the smallest tank size I could house him in without causing him stress?
I know it's always best to keep them in the biggest tank you can, but keeping the large tank downstairs is not looking too practical at the moment, because I have to build another room down there. I'd prefer to keep the fish, we're all attached to him now. I was wondering if a 4 or 5 foot tank would be big enough for him?

 

[salt210]

how many gallons will the tank be?

 

[watertight]

Originally Posted by salt210
http:///forum/post/3014604
how many gallons will the tank be?
That's what I'm trying to find out lol.
What I need to know is what size would be acceptible to keep him in. The tank He's in now would be 220 I guess, but he usually sticks to one corner and doesn't move around a lot. I can use the filtration from the 220, so water movement shouldn't be too much of a problem.

 

[aquaknight]

A 48"x24" (120gal) wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, groupers aren't active swimmers, though a 60"x24" (150gal IIRC) would indeed be better. I wouldn't expect/plan on very many tankmates though...

 

[watertight]

Originally Posted by AquaKnight
http:///forum/post/3016074
A 48"x24" (120gal) wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, groupers aren't active swimmers, though a 60"x24" (150gal IIRC) would indeed be better. I wouldn't expect/plan on very many tankmates though...
lol Tankmates are completely out of the question. The M grouper used to constantly attack the lion fish and show him who was boss, so I doubt he'd tolerate any other fish in his domain