Epinephelus itajara

(Lichtenstein, 1822)

Vernacular names
English : Atlantic goliath grouper
French : Mérou goliath Atlantique

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Perciformes
Family : Serranidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
One of the biggest known grouper species, reaching a maximum length of 2.50 m for a weight of 450 kg. Huge eyes and mouth. Coloration beige-yellow to greenish to grey with black spots on face, fins and upper back.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Atlantic Ocean, west from Florida to Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and south Brazil, east from Senegal to Congo and Canary Islands. Lives in inshore areas over muddy, sandy or rocky bottoms, down to 100 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is now very rare and has declined steeply because of overfishing. It is now legally protected but not recovering yet.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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