Search for...
Skip to content
Navigation Menu
Navigation Menu
Home
About Us
Contact
Courses
Highlights
Dive Trips
Countries
Indonesia
Malaysia
Thailand
Philippines
Australia
Japan
Srilanka
Maldives
India
Dubai
Mexico
Fish Identification
WBS Special
WBS Blogs
Blog
FAQ
Grouper
Scientific Name:
Groupers belong to the
subfamily Epinephelinae
within the family
Serranidae
.
Some well-known species include:
Goliath Grouper
(
Epinephelus itajara
)
Nassau Grouper
(
Epinephelus striatus
)
Red Grouper
(
Epinephelus morio
)
Potato Grouper
(
Epinephelus tukula
)
Black Grouper
(
Mycteroperca bonaci
)
Habitat:
Found in
coral reefs, rocky seabeds, mangroves, and deep-sea environments
.
Typically reside at
depths of 10–100 meters (33–330 feet)
.
Prefer
tropical and subtropical waters
.
Diet:
Carnivorous
– feeds on
fish, crustaceans (like crabs and lobsters), squid, and octopus
.
Hunts using
ambush techniques
, swallowing prey whole with its large mouth and powerful suction.
Reproduction:
Many species are
protogynous hermaphrodites
, meaning they start as
females
and later transition to
males
.
Spawning often occurs in
large aggregations
.
Eggs are fertilized externally and develop into
free-floating larvae
before settling on reefs.
Spotting Tips:
Look for
large, thick-bodied fish with wide mouths
near coral reefs and rocky ledges.
Groupers often have
camouflaged patterns
that blend with their surroundings.
Some species, like the Nassau Grouper, change color depending on mood or behavior.
Countries:
Found worldwide in
tropical and subtropical waters
, including the
Caribbean, Florida, Gulf of Mexico, Red Sea, Indo-Pacific, and Australia
.
Goliath Grouper
Goliath Grouper
(
Epinephelus itajara
)
Size:
Up to
2.5 meters (8 feet)
, weighing
up to 360 kg (800 lbs)
Color:
Mottled brown and yellow with small dark spots
Habitat:
Coral reefs, shipwrecks, and rocky coastal waters
Diet:
Fish, crustaceans, and octopuses
Special Features:
One of the
largest
groupers; slow-moving but powerful
Distribution:
Atlantic Ocean
, from Florida to Brazil, and the
Eastern Pacific
Nassau Grouper
Nassau Grouper
(
Epinephelus striatus
)
Size:
Up to
1.2 meters (4 feet)
, weighing
up to 27 kg (60 lbs)
Color:
Light brown with dark vertical stripes
Habitat:
Coral reefs and rocky ledges
Diet:
Fish, crabs, and shrimp
Special Features:
Changes color when hunting or mating
Distribution:
Western Atlantic
, including the
Caribbean and Florida
Red Grouper
Red Grouper
(
Epinephelus morio
)
Size:
Around
1 meter (3.3 feet)
, weighing
up to 23 kg (50 lbs)
Color:
Reddish-orange with white spots
Habitat:
Rocky reefs and deep offshore waters
Diet:
Fish, squid, and crabs
Special Features:
Uses its
mouth to dig
in the seafloor for prey
Distribution:
Western Atlantic
, from the
Gulf of Mexico to the Caribbean
Black Grouper
Black Grouper
(
Mycteroperca bonaci
)
Size:
Up to
1.5 meters (5 feet)
, weighing
up to 100 kg (220 lbs)
Color:
Dark brown with a faint pattern of blotches
Habitat:
Coral reefs, wrecks, and deep ledges
Diet:
Fish, lobster, and squid
Special Features:
Strong swimmer and powerful predator
Distribution:
Western Atlantic
, from
Florida to Brazil
Potato Grouper
Potato Grouper
(
Epinephelus tukula
)
Size:
Up to
2 meters (6.5 feet)
, weighing
over 110 kg (240 lbs)
Color:
Greyish-brown with dark spots
Habitat:
Coral reefs and coastal waters
Diet:
Fish, crustaceans, and octopuses
Special Features:
Often seen in
cleaning stations
, allowing small fish to remove parasites
Distribution:
Indo-Pacific region
, including
Australia, the Red Sea, and the Indian Ocean