giant grouper
Quick Summary
The giant grouper is a very large fish found in the western Pacific and Indian Oceans. One species, Epinephelus lanceolatus, can weigh over 800 pounds (363 kg). A related species, the goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara), inhabits the Atlantic coasts of tropical America and the eastern Atlantic. Goliath groupers can reach lengths of 8.2 feet (2.5 meters) and weigh up to 1,000 pounds (455 kg).12
Groupers, in general, are heavy-bodied fish belonging to the family Serranidae. They are found in warm seas and are often dull in color, though some can change patterns. Many grouper species are hermaphroditic, functioning first as females and later transforming into males. They are a popular food source and are also sought after by anglers and spearfishers.3
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