Name: Queensland grouper, giant grouper
Scientific Name: Epinephelus lanceolatus (Bloch, 1790)
Family: Serranidae
Group: Bony fish
Class: Fish
Size: 201-400 cm.
The Queensland grouper lives in shallow coral reefs. It occupies a permanent shelter in holes or wrecks, and is territorial in relation to this area. For this reason, divers should approach it with caution, given that this enormous grouper, which can weigh as much as 300 kg, can attack with unforeseen consequences... It is an hermaphrodite species, in which the individuals begin as females and only later change into males. As Queensland groupers accumulate toxins existing in their prey, the larger individuals can cause ciguatera. Just like other groupers, it is a victim of intensive fishing and is virtually extinct in some regions.
Photo by:
Vicky Newman (www.hawaiisfishes.com)
Global Ocean
