Size: 1 to 4 ft.
ID: Black saddle spot on tail base, front
dorsal notched
Class: Actinopterygii / Ray-finned fishes
Order: Perciformes / Perch-like fishes
Family: Serranidae / Sea basses (Groupers)
Genus Species: Epinephelus striatus / Nassau
Grouper
Habitat: near bottom of reefs
Typical food: fish, crustaceans
Other information: solitary; carnivore; lurks
in wrecks, reef shadows, or ledges; draws prey into gullet
by powerful suction from opening large mouth; swallows prey whole after
holding it in small rasp
like teeth that cover the jaws, tongue and palate; grouper are hermaphroditic
and begin life as
females, then change to males with maturity; make booming sounds showing
aggression when approached
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| 1. Nassau Grouper | 2. Nassau Grouper | 3. Nassau Grouper | 4. Nassau Grouper |
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