Groupers

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Groupers are a common fish with a strong, stout body and a large mouths. They are usually a solitary fish, and hunt along the bottom, using their mouth and gills to form a powerful suction to vacuum fish, octopus, crabs, lobsters, shrimp in from a considerable distance.

Groupers are protogynous hermaphrodite, most of the young are females but transform into males as they grow larger. As they approach adulthood, they collect into groups called harems, which consists of one male with up to ten females. If they male dies or moves away, the largest female becomes a male and takes his place!!


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Close up of the mighty Jewfish, Epinephelus itajara, Duane Shipwreck, Key Largo. Jewfish are also known as goliath groupers, and are one of the largest fish observed on coral reefs in Florida.

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Photo by Robert Palmer
Jewfish are often spotted on or in wrecks

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Photo by Robert Palmer
Jewfish are solitary and reclusive fish by nature. Their numbers in Florida have been greatly decreased due to over-fishing. They are now a protected species.

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Mighty jewfish, Key Largo
Photo by Ben Riley

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Goliath grouper and an impressively sized trumpetfish!
Photo by Rebecca Riddle

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Graysby, Cephalopholis cruentatus, on a reef at Boynton Ledge. These species likes to spend its time hiding out on the bottom quietly, relying on its coloring for camouflage.
Photo by Bob Rosell.

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Close up of a graysby
Photo by Bob Rosell

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Graysby swimming over reef, Boynton Beach
Photo by Robert Palmer


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Harlequin Bass, Serranus tigrinus, are more often spotted in pairs than alone. They hunt by day in sea grass beds and other sandy areas for crabs and shrimps. their dark tiger-like bars make them an easily recognizable fish.

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Blue Hamlet, Hypoplectrus gemma, West Palm Beach. Blue hamlets are a beautiful bright iridescent blue color. They form small territories over coral reefs which they patrol and guard.

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Close up of a Blue Hamlet, Pompano Beach

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Snowy Grouper, Epinephelus niveatus, a rare type of grouper in Florida, well disguised in this photo!

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Black Grouper, Mycteroperca bonaci, can change its colorings from dark black to almost white
Photo courtesy of US Geological Survey (http://fl.biology.usgs.gov/)