My new pair, very rare import to the US

I recorded their feeding tonight so I thought I would post an update.

In the 11 months I have had them, they have grown < 2 inches.
Temp: 74-76
Feedings 2-3x/week (menhaden, smelt, shrimp, or occasionally squid)
They do not bother one another
They rarely move and stay within the same 1 foot area for weeks at a time
They always prop themselves up against the glass.
The tails wag everytime someone enters the room.


IMAG0168.jpg

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A year has now passed and I did an accurate measurement on them tonight. The male very close to 15.5 inches and the female about 14.5. So they are growing about 2 inches per year. I read somewhere that sexual maturity is about 8 years for this species, I guess they are on pace, maybe a little retarded.

The grouper is well. Though it is probably close to 13 inches, huge for a miniatus, the size doesn't deter the sharks from striking. It had another shredded fin this month, though only the second time in a year.
 
Update

Shortly after my last post in Jan 2011 I learned that the waters that this pair came from has a year round average water temperature of 83 degrees. In mid Jan I raised the water temp to 82F. It has been only three months and what a difference. I measured them tonight. The male is now 19.5 inches and the female 20. They have grown between 4.5 and 5 inches in 3 months! No change in feeding habits.

I had also mentioned before that they wouldn't move for months. This is no longer the case. They are often found swimming around the tank. I had to remove all of the corals, anemones and live rock from the tank to give them room.

I am thinking of dropping the temperature back to 72F because it will be another 9 months before the lagoon is ready.
 
I posted this elsewhere but it is worth watching again
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Wow! What a change! I've never heard of growth rate manipulation because of temperature that extreme before. That grouper is going to be lunch before long :D
 
What is interesting is how they have grown so much only due to a change in temperature. I wonder what the physiology is behind this. Normally I would think that warming the water would speed up their metabolism thus increasing their nutritional needs but you mentioned that they are still feeding the same way. Anyone have any ideas why they are growing so much differently?
 
I was surprised too by the growth. No change in diet. Only twice a week.

As for the grouper, I was ready to eat it myself. My female short tailed nurse shark deposited an egg. In the thirty seconds that it took for me to get to the back of the tank, it was in the grouper's belly. I was so mad. Now I likely have to wait until next year or more for another.

The lagoon and pool are coming along. I have a pool guy under contract and have narrowed the architects down to two. Also have a contractor. Looking at dec. For a ready date.

I am dropping the temp back down to 72F. They have become way too active for the 350.
 
Last edited:
It has been a month. The temp is back to 72. They have stopped swimming and I cannot yet tell if the growth has slowed, but I think so. When the lagoon is ready, I will have the temp set to 82.
 
Sweet! Thanks for all the good info! You should seriously think about writing an article on your findings. :beer:
 
The article will come if I am lucky enough to have pups. Anyway, I just measured the female tonight and she is now 22" long. That is almost seven inches in 6months. I guess the temp isn't it. After very little growth in the first year, they are really catching up.
 
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