Coal Grunter

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

TCZeli

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Jun 27, 2007
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Any MFK have one of these guys, they look cool and was thinking about getting one, but there is limited information on the web about them. I have read they are very difficult to keep with other fish. Can anyone confirm this? Any info would be great.
 
don't know much info on them but you might try contacting FishRoomPlus Alex was selling them before so he might have some info on them.... the ones he had were nice too saw them in person
 
here is the scientific name, Hephaestus carbo....
 
I breed these with hormones, just treat them like a central american cichlid but they dont really like to be with each other .... so keep them in large groups or as the only coal grunter in the tank. Tankmates will need to be large tough and handle some aggression. A little salt is appreciated but they lose colour when larger. Great fish if you have the room and suitable tankmates.
 
I would have them with my Datnoids, bichir, couple synos, royal pleco, blue dempsey. But this would be in 150Gallon, so if they need that much room maybe I should be looking for another fish.
 
when it gets bigger it may need a bit of room to itself. the main thing you want is the tankmates to defend themselves if they cant they may be killed but i doubt depending on the grunters size it will kill anything. if the other fish are larger (not big enough to eat them) they should do fine and in a tank that size it would be a fair while before you get many problems with aggression if you notice anything being harrassed constantly something should be done because they tend to pick on certain fish. not too sure why they do it tho
 
what is the growth rate on these guys? The 150G will have to last me a few years so I wont be able to upgrade for a while.
 
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