(Lichtenstein, 1822); SERRANIDAE FAMILY;
also called spotted jewfish, southern
jewfish, junefish, Florida jewfish, jewfish
Known to occur in the western Atlantic Ocean
from Florida to Brazil, including the Gulf
of Mexico and the West Indies. It is also
known in the eastern Pacific from Costa Rica
to Peru. This species is usually found
inside of the 12 fathom bottom contour,
though it may occur in deeper waters. It
favors areas near rocky shores and islands,
reefs, ledges, dock and bridge pilings, and
wrecks, where caves and holes offer refuge.
The goliath grouper is the largest of the
grouper in the western Atlantic, possibly
reaching 8 ft (2.5 m) and a weight of 1000
lb (455 kg). The body, including the head
and fins, is mottled with dark brown
blotches and blackish spots. As the fish
grows older, the body becomes darker and the
spots and blotches become more numerous and
less distinct
It can be easily distinguished from the
giant sea bass, Stereolepis gigas, because
it has more soft rays (15 16) than spines
(11) in the dorsal fin. The giant sea bass
also has 11 spines, but only 10 soft rays.
The goliath grouper can also be
distinguished from the giant sea bass by its
rounded tail fin, large, rounded pectoral
fins, and different color pattern.
Goliath grouper feed primarily on
crustaceans, but also on fishes and even an
occasional turtle, which is inhaled into the
goliath grouper’s enormous mouth. It is a
very sluggish fish and an opportunistic
feeder. Some very large specimens show an
extraordinary degree of curiosity and will
leave their caves to swim up to a diver.
There are reliable reports of goliath
grouper or giant sea bass interfering with
diving operations and occasionally even
attempting to swallow divers.
Despite poor fighting ability, its great
size and weight and its habit of swimming
into a hole or between rocks when hooked,
make it difficult to land. They can be taken
on live or dead bait fished on the bottom
from boats, bridges, or shore. Slow trolling
also works on occasion. Baits include crabs,
spiny lobster, fishes and cut bait.
The goliath grouper is an excellent food
fish at any size. But, it is now totally
protected from harvest in Florida waters.
