The Atlantic Goliath grouper, aka itajara or jawfish, is the largest known species of grouper and 1 of the largest of the known bony fish. In the west, they can be found in northeastern Florida, on south throughout the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. They can also be found along South America to Brazil. In the east, they are found off the coast of West Africa from Senegal to Cabinda. These fish prefer tropical and subtropical waters. Due to overfishing, pollution, habitat destruction, invasive species, and disease these fish are listed as Endangered by the IUCN.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Epinephelus itajara
Weight: Up to 800+ lbs.
Length: Up to 8+ feet
Lifespan: Up to 37 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) These giants prefer coral reefs and mangrove habitats.
2.) This grouper is considered an indicator species, in that their presence is indicative of a healthy ecosystem.
3.) Atlantic Goliath groupers are ambush predators that swim slowly awaiting passing prey to happen by.
4.) They capture their food via negative pressure. They open their mouths and create a strong suction that draws the prey into their large mouths. The prey is then swallowed whole.
5.) It has been hypothesized that these large fish are protogynous hermaphrodites (contain both male and female reproductive organs). But this has yet to be proven.
But wait, there’s more on the Atlantic Goliath grouper!
6.) They congregate into groups of 100+ to form spawning aggregations between June – December.
7.) Females can spawn up to 57,000,000 eggs each breeding season!
Did you know…?
In 2001, after complaints that the nickname was culturally insensitive, the American Fisheries Society changed the name from Jewfish to “goliath grouper”.
8.) These groupers reproduce via broadcast spawning (females release millions of eggs into the water to later be fertilized by multiple males).
9.) These amazing bony fish have evolved to tolerate water with low salinity as well as low oxygen content.
10.) A grouper’s age can be estimated by inspecting the annual growth rings in its dorsal fin rays.
Now a Short Atlantic Goliath Grouper Video!
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