Grouper: Giant Grouper
Giant Grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus) are the largest living grouper species (family Serranidae) occurring throughout the Indo-West Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa east to the Pacific Islands, and from southern Japan south to Australia. Adults can grow to about 2.7 m in total length and weigh more than 400 kg, making them one of the largest predatory fishes found on tropical coral reefs.
Giant Groupers are distinguished from most other groupers by their enormous size, massive head and broad mouth. Adults have greyish-brown bodies with irregular dark blotches, while juveniles display bold black and yellow markings that gradually fade as they mature. Numerous small black spots cover the pectoral, dorsal and caudal fins, particularly the pectoral fins, providing a useful field character for identifying both juveniles and adults.
Giant Groupers inhabit coral reefs, rocky reefs, lagoons and estuaries from shallow coastal waters to depths exceeding 100 m. Juveniles are commonly found in mangrove estuaries and sheltered coastal habitats before moving onto deeper offshore reefs as they grow larger.
They are powerful ambush predators that feed mainly on fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods. Their enormous mouth enables them to swallow surprisingly large prey whole, making them one of the apex predators of tropical coral reefs.
Juvenile Giant Groupers are frequently encountered in estuaries and mangrove-lined rivers where they find shelter from predators and abundant food. Their bold black-and-yellow colour pattern provides effective camouflage among submerged roots and shaded habitats before gradually changing to the mottled greyish-brown coloration of adults.
Other names for the fish:
Apuku, Ata'ata-uli, 'Avu, Bac, Bákati, Bangabanga, Bantol, Bontoo, Bridlebass, Briekwabaars, Brindle bass, Brindle grouper, Brindlebass, Bumblebee grouper, Bulang, Cá Mú song, Cabot nègre, Chewa, Dragon grouper, Garopa fatuk makerek, Garoupa fajardo, Hali valan kossa, Hamour, Hapuu reru, Hekru, Itajara olbrzymia, Jawe, Kalava, Kavu, Kerapu lumpur, Kerapu pertang, Kertang, Long tan, Kiapu mansarunae, Kohoa, Kolaji, Kolamin, Komari kaleva, Kugtong, Kugtung, Kurapu, Lapu lapu, Lapu-lapu, Loche, Loche géante, Lokos, Mero lanceolado, Mérou géant, Mérou lancéolé, Mottled-brown sea bass, Nhinhinhi, Okke, Pertang, Popo, Pugapo, Puol, Queensland groper, Queensland grouper, Queensland-bars, Saukoton, Sellan kossa, Suur kivikoha, Taiyaaw, Tamakai, Te kauoto, Tingag, Vaolo, Varaya kalawa, Veya, Wekhali, Wekhru, Wutla-callawah, Zackenbarsch, 宽额鲈, 寬額鱸, 鞍带石斑鱼, 龙趸
