The fertilized eggs scatter in the water and eventually develop into kite-shaped larvae with long dorsal fins and pelvic fin spines. The goliath grouper is found primarily in shallow tropical waters among coral and artificial reefs. Warsaw grouper is a long-lived, slow-growing, predator species that … Juveniles are just 2.5 cm long and prefer settling into mangrove habitats. In most all cases, these Goliath Grouper are even more aggressive eaters than sharks when they attack prey. But as its name suggests, the goliath grouper does do at least one thing of note: It gets big. Why such contempt? Recreational fishermen have long viewed Goliath grouper with utter disdain--kind of like that grade school teacher's pet that annoyed the crap out of other students, but hid behind unflinching protection. Where I … It has neither venomous barbs nor impressive fangs. Snowy grouper is a long-lived, slow-growing, predator species that changes sex from female to male as they age, all characteristics that make this grouper highly vulnerable to fishing pressure. The goliath grouper is the largest grouper species in the Atlantic Ocean weighing up to 800 pounds. While diving in 80-foot deep waters off the coast of Jupiter, Florida, spearfisherman Arif Sabir had a standoff with a seemingly fearless and ferocious goliath grouper, which GrindTV estimated was 300- to 400-pounds.Sabir had just caught a lesser amberjack with his spearfish gun, he told Grind TV, when he noticed the large grouper … Where I Like to Hang Out I like the rock, coral and mud bottoms in waters up to 150 ft. We’re also one of the few grouper species that can be found in brackish (aka slightly salty) waters. The florida record is a 680-pound goliath grouper The oldest recorded Goliath grouper was 37, but some scientists think we can live up to 50 years! This doesn't mean, of course, that a hungry goliath, as many … Most local anglers and divers are convinced that this massive grouper, which can weigh up to 800 pounds, eats other small grouper and fish found on the reefs they inhabit. Well, it's basically a double whammy--recreationals cannot harvest Goliaths, yet Goliaths help themselves to loads of grouper … If Goliath Grouper are the kings of the shallows, these guys dominate the deep. The Atlantic goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara) isn’t the meanest or fastest fish on the reef. This giant can reach 800 pounds (455 kg) and over 8 feet (2 meters) in length. That's like a silverback gorilla that can swim, only with less hair and a severely diminished tree-swinging ability. What do goliath grouper eat? They’re capable of hitting almost 600 pounds and well over 7 feet. The Atlantic goliath grouper or itajara (Epinephelus itajara), also known as the jewfish, is a large saltwater fish of the grouper family found primarily in shallow tropical waters among coral and artificial reefs at depths from 5 to 50 m (16 to 164 ft). If you haven’t seen a Goliath Grouper eat before, then you are missing out on watching one of the most aggressive eaters in the entire ocean. Its range includes the Florida Keys in the US, the Bahamas, most of the … Darn big. And as the saying goes, big fish eat littl Goliath groupers have been known to weigh up to 800 pounds. Add in the fact that they live several hundred feet down, where all fish taste great, and they become the dream catch of many deep dropping enthusiasts. We hang out there when we’re young. Goliath Groupers breed from July through September; they gather in groups of 100 or more at specific breeding sites for spawning. Additional types of fishing gear include spears, pots and traps. 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