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The Atlantic goliath grouper or itajara (Epinephelus itajara), also known as the jewfish, is a saltwater fish of the grouper family and one of the largest species of bony fish. The species can be found in the West Atlantic ranging from northeastern Florida , south throughout the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea , and along South ...
The goliath grouper is the largest grouper species in the Atlantic Ocean weighing up to 800 pounds. They were once so overfished in the southeastern United States, they were considered for listing under the Endangered Species Act.
The Atlantic goliath grouper, like most groupers, is an ambush predator and eats fairly large fishes and invertebrates and even small sharks. Reefs with large numbers of predators, like Atlantic goliath groupers, are known to be healthier than reefs with no predators, so this species may represent an important part of the reef food web.
Goliath grouper are some of the biggest fish in the sea—they can grow more than eight feet long and weigh up to 800 lbs! Goliath grouper also has a big presence in a healthy coral reef ecosystem, as they help maintain balance as a top predator.
The Atlantic Goliath Grouper – scientific name Epinephelus itajara – is a massive saltwater fish found in the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Caribbean Sea. Other common names for this fish include hamlet, giant seabass, goliath grouper, black bass, jewfish, southern jewfish, and esonue grouper.
Nov 25, 2016 · Some Florida fishermen say Atlantic goliath groupers are eating too many fish, but scientists argue the behemoths still need our protection.
The Atlantic goliath grouper is an apex predator usually at the top of the food chain at maturity. They feed on invertebrates, mainly crustaceans, and other fish. They do not chase swiftly moving prey but rather slowly ambush them, catching them with their canine-like teeth and swallowing them whole (Robins, 2016). REPRODUCTION.
