Giant grouper

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giant grouper

Conservation status

Vulnerable

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Serranidae
Genus:	Epinephelus
Species:	E. lanceolatus

Binomial name

Epinephelus lanceolatus
Bloch, 1790

Giant grouper among a school of golden trevally at the Georgia Aquarium

The giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus), also known as the brindle bass , bumblebee grouper and as the Queensland grouper in Australia, is the largest bony fish found in coral reefs, and the aquatic emblem of Queensland, Australia. It is found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, with the exception of the Persian Gulf. The species can grow as large as 2.7 meters (9 ft) long, weighing up to 400 kg (880 lb); there are unconfirmed reports of it growing much bigger. They are fairly common in shallow waters and feed on a variety of marine life, including small sharks and juvenile sea turtles.

They do not move a lot and take up residence in caves. They are bold and will take a good hard look at any intruder, giving divers a scare, but are not dangerous to man. This giant fish is similar to an Estuary Cod and colour changes with age. The giant grouper has a large mouth and a rounded tail. Juveniles have irregular black and yellow markings, while adults are green-grey to grey-brown with faint mottling. There are numerous small black spots on the fins.