This video was filmed in the Sea World, San Diego, USA
Source: www.fishconsult.org
Giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus)
The giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus), which belongs to the family Serranidae is also known as brindle bass, brown spotted cod, or bumblebee grouper and as the Queensland giant grouper in Australia. The species is the largest reef-dwelling bony fish. It may grow to more than 3 meters long, weighing up to 400-600 kg. This species can live to be more than 50 years old.
Distribution and habitats: The giant grouper is native to the Indian Ocean and is found chiefly in coral reef ecosystem throughout the Indo-Pacific, it occurs from the Red Sea to Hawai‘i, and from New South Wales (Australia) to southern Japan. This solitary species is found at depths that ranges from near the surface to up to 100 m.
Description: The giant grouper has a large mouth and a rounded tail. The fish can expand its mouth to create a strong suction enabling it engulf its food. Juveniles are bright yellow with irregular black and yellow/brown bars, while adults are green-grey to grey-brown with faint mottling. There are numerous small black spots on the fins. Its mottled coloration blends with the surroundings, providing good camouflage for this large hunter. The eyes of this species function effectively in dim light, giving it an advantage over prey during dawn and dusk.
Feeding habits: Giant groupers feed on a variety of marine life of reef system, including reef fishes, small sharks, juvenile sea turtles, spiny lobsters and other crustaceans. The expandable mouth allow them to swallow their preys whole. The giant grouper has at least seven rows of teeth on the middle of its lower jaw.
Changing sex: As most groupers, the giant groupers start out life as females and later switch sex to male at an age of about half their lifespan .
Utilization by human: For centuries, giant groupers have been an important subsistence and artisanal fishery. However, in many parts of their range, giant groupers have been wiped out because of the damaging fishing practices including the use of cyanide and/or the explosives for fishing on reefs.
Threats: Due to overfishing, this species has declined drastically in many regions, and it is now considered Vulnerable according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) list of threatened animals.
