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How do groupers hunt from hiding places among rocks?

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Bluefin tuna swimming underwater in a group, with silvery bodies and streamlined shapes, near Japan. — perciform Bluefin tuna (*Thunnus thynnus orientalis*) in the waters near Japan.

Groupers, which belong to the order Perciformes, are predatory fishes known for their ambush hunting strategy. Rather than actively pursuing their prey, groupers lie in wait for unsuspecting targets while positioned among rocks.1

This behavior allows them to remain concealed within their environment until they can strike at smaller fishes or other prey that venture too close. This method of securing food is a notable example of the diverse feeding adaptations found within the perciform order, which includes both predator and prey species that play essential roles in aquatic ecosystems.1