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Selection:
Is a breeze with this species. It
is a gem to ship, most all arriving in good to go live
condition. Given some short while (days) to "rest up" at
your dealers, the Miniata is ready to take home.
Shyness to the extreme is to be
expected, so don't be dissuaded from considering a
specimen because of its reclusive behavior. Similarly,
torn fins incurred through capture, shipping are almost
never a problem, and heal quickly with waiting.
Environment
Physical:
As with computer hard drive
space, cash reserves in the bank, bigger is better when
it comes to housing true basses (family Serranidae)
including the genus Cephalopholis. I wouldn't place even
a small specimen in less than a sixty gallon tank. To
encourage outgoing behavior and the animal's overall
happiness a system of twice that volume is called for.
More than one or adding a similar species? Double it
again.
Chemical:
This is a notably undemanding
species that does best under standard NSW (Near SeaWater)
conditions of tropical sea temperature (low seventies to
mid eighties), specific gravity, composition. For such
big eaters, as you might imagine, enhanced circulation,
aeration and overall filtration are a plus.
Behavior
Territoriality: Tankmates
As with many true basses, this
Hind does not like to share its hiding spaces or feeding
niche with other fishes. "Yawning" behavior, squaring
off side by side with tankmates are signs of aggression
that should not be ignored (someone should be moved).
Large enough (hundreds of gallons) systems, plenty of
cover/caves, utilizing differently colored/marked though
related species greatly diminish the likelihood of
negative interactions.
See below re "foods/feeding"
regarding the propensity of this fish to eat mobile
tankmates. Animals of smaller than mouth diameter
(including cleaner organisms) are often ingested as
food.
Reproduction:
Not known in captivity.
Digging Behavior:
This species can be a prodigious
excavator, moving sand, good-sized rubble about with its
mouth. The usual cautions here to be careful about rock
and other heavy decor placement. Best "wiggled" into
place, touching the "bottom" of the tank, filter or
plenum plates, and/or rock below.
Foods/Feeding/Nutrition:
Though this Hind feeds
principally on fishes and to a lesser extent crustaceans
in the wild, it is an exemplary omnivore in captivity,
readily feeding on any/all foods of size, bulk that will
fit its mouth. Any small-enough fishes and crustacean
livestock are potential game.
As with most predaceous captives,
it is best not to over or to frequently feed your Hind.
Twice, thrice weekly is sufficient.
Disease: Prevention, Control:
Should your system succumb to an
infectious or parasitic disease, your Cephalopholis will
be amongst the last to show signs or perish from same.
This fish can catch the usual reef scourges (ich,
velvet), but is very rarely a carrier. Like most basses
they're easily treated for such problems with common
medications and environmental manipulation (e.g.
hyposalinity).
Conclusion:
What more could a pet-fish
hobbyist want in the way of a larger "show" specimen for
their larger marine system? The Coral Hind, aka Miniata
Grouper, is strikingly beautiful, readily available,
intelligent, hardy, adaptable to captive conditions. An
ideal fish addition if you have larger than mouth-size
fish and crustacean tankmates.
Bibliography/Further Reading:
Axelrod, Herbert R. & Warren E.
Burgess, 1981. Groupers and their relatives. TFH 8/81.
Burgess, Warren E., Herbert R.
Axelrod and Raymond E. Hunziker III, Atlas of Aquarium
Fishes, v. 1 Marines. 1990. T.F.H. Publications.
Campbell, Douglas G. 1979. Marines:
their care and keeping, Groupers and their allies. Parts
1-3. 9-11/79 FAMA.
Fenner, Bob. 1995. A diversity of
aquatic life. The Family Serranidae. FAMA 9/95.
Fenner, Robert. 1996. Basses,
groupers or hinds? The genus Cephalopholis. TFH 12/96.
Fenner, Robert. 1998. The
Conscientious Marine Aquarist. Microcosm, VT. 432pp.
Goldstein, Robert. 1992. Spectacular
serranids. AFM 11/92
Hunziker, Ray. 1988. Orange
lightning- experiences with Cephalopholis miniatus.
TFH 3/88.
Jonklaas, Rodney, 1975. Search for
the super-duper grouper. TFH 8/75.
Michael, Scott W. 1998. Gorgeous
groupers. One genus really does stand out. AFM 1/98.
Nelson, Joseph S. Fishes of the
World. Wiley. 3rd Ed. 1994. |
