GIANT GROUPERS - (Epinephelus lanceolatus)

Posted March 19, 2008

Since 18th March 2008, Gayana Eco Resort and the Marine Ecology Research Centre has become the new sanctuary of 5 Giant Groupers.

Giant grouper is the largest bony fish found in coral reefs and also known as the brindle bass, brown spotted cod, bumblebee grouper. They can grow as large as 9 feet long and weighing up to 600kg. They are very common in shallow waters and feed on a variety of marine life includingClose up of Giant Grouper small sharks and juvenile sea turtles. The giant grouper has a large mouth and a rounded tail. The giant grouper can expand its mouth to create a strong suction, which allows it to engulf its unsuspecting food.

Due to over fishing the giant grouper has been listed as “vulnerable” on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) list of threatened animals. The giant grouper population is thought to be declining at a rate of 20 percent every 10 years. This species can live to be more than 50 years old, which means it takes some time for younger fish to replace the older, larger fish in an environment.