Predators of goliath grouper include large fish, such as sandbar and great hammerhead sharks, barracuda, king mackerel, moray eels, and other grouper. Reefs with large numbers of predators, like Atlantic goliath groupers, are known to be healthier than reefs with no predators, so this species may represent an important part of the reef food web. Some fish in this family can grow to incredible sizes, such as the jewfish (Epinephelus itajara) of the tropical Atlantic Ocean and the Queensland grouper (E. lanceolatus) of Australia.Both of these fishes can reach lengths of more than 3 m (10 ft) and weights greater than 454 kg (1,000 lbs. The goliath grouper or itajara (Epinephelus itajara), also called "jewfish", is a large saltwater fish of the grouper family. Interesting Goliath Grouper Facts. Large adults have very few natural predators, and they, in turn, will prey on the same large fish that once hunted them, including sharks and barracuda. The goliath grouper is found primarily in shallow tropical waters among coral and artificial reefs. Goliath grouper feed largely on crustaceans, such as spiny lobsters, shrimps and crabs, fishes, octopus, and young sea turtles. The goliath grouper is the largest grouper species in the Atlantic Ocean weighing up to 800 pounds. The goliath grouper, Epinephelus itajara, is a large saltwater fish which can reach extremely large sizes, growing to lengths of 8.2 ft. (2.5 m) and weighing as much as 800 lbs. Colors vary slightly, with brown, yellow, gray or olive mottling and small, dark spots on the head and fins. Diliff. It tends to have a brownish-yellow or greenish-gray speckled pattern and small black spots on … They were once so overfished in the southeastern United States, they were considered for listing under the Endangered Species Act. The florida record is a 680-pound goliath grouper Once they are together, the females lay eggs that drift to the surface after being fertilized. (363 kg).It has a broad head, round tail, small eyes, and short dorsal spines. Fun Facts: • The Goliath grouper is territorial near areas of refuge such as caves and ledges. Goliath groupers gather together in spawning groups as soon as they prepared to mate. The groups vary in size, number, and location. The Atlantic goliath grouper, whose scientific name is Epinephelus itajara, is a grouper species characterized by its large dimensions. It also swims in caves and near shipwrecks. When threatened, it will open its mouth, shake … Fast Facts. Growing to more than eight feet and as much as 800 pounds, the goliath grouper is one of the largest fish that lives in coastal seas. The majority of the Atlantic goliath grouper population is located along the coasts of the American coast. However, this … The species has five dark stripes or bands on the body that are most visible on young fish. ). Fun Facts. As giant groupers are so big, they need to eat plenty of food. The goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara) is an immense sea bass found in the Atlantic and Pacific coastal waters of tropical America, and along the eastern Atlantic coast from Senegal to Congo.The adult goliath grouper may reach a length of just over 8 feet (about 2.5 meters) and a weight of roughly 1,000 pounds (455 kilograms). Goliath Grouper are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List. This giant can reach 800 pounds (455 kg) and over 8 feet (2 meters) in length. Fun Facts; Conservation; The goliath grouper is the largest of the groupers in the Atlantic Ocean. Fast Facts: Goliath Grouper Description.  It has a broad head and rounded tail. The Atlantic goliath grouper, like most groupers, is an ambush predator and eats fairly large fishes and invertebrates and even small sharks. The giant grouper eats a range of food, including small sharks, fish, rays, and small sea turtles. 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