Goliath groupers can weigh up to 800 pounds. They are very aggressive feeders, even more than sharks. This underwater footage shows how they take turns attacking baits. Humans have little to fear from these “gentle giants”. Still, stay away from fully grown ones. They could eat a person if they wanted! The heaviest ever caught, in 1961 off Florida, was 680 pounds.
In fact, many call them “gentle giants”. Still, it’s smart to stay away. They could eat you if they wanted! However, generally, it’s the fish threatened by humans. My recommendation is to snorkel in a group, especially with small children. Predators are less likely to approach then.
Before full-size, barracuda, sharks and eels prey on them. When fully grown, only humans and large sharks are predators. Even large ones are excellent eating, with white to pale pink flesh and large flakes.
This grouper lures large fish and invertebrates by opening its mouth. Linger too long and it could eat you alive. A 20-36 inch one weighs 12-25 pounds. That’s $40 per pound to harvest. The heaviest certified record was a 680-pound one caught in 1961 off Florida.
Some say a fisherman caught a 1,500-pound one in the Gulf in 1895. In the 1950s, two kids jumped off a bridge but only one came up. The other was eaten by a goliath. The Florida record is 680 pounds from 1961.
You can eat them but they are not as tender as some fish. We suggest smaller, juvenile ones instead. Older grouper can be tough. There’s a chance you’ve never tasted one. If you did, laws may have been broken. In the 70s and 80s they were highly sought for quality seafood.
The origin of “jewfish” isn’t clear. One view traces to a 1697 book. It said jewfish were kosher, favored by Jamaican Jews.
Why is it illegal to catch goliath grouper?
Goliath groupers are illegal to harvest in Florida. The species could be vulnerable to overfishing if the ban were not in place. The species crashed due to being long-living, slow-maturing, and congregating in groups.
In March 2022, the Florida FWC approved a limited, regulated recreational harvest of Goliath grouper beginning Spring 2023. Since 1990, keeping goliath grouper has been illegal in Florida. They gather in big groups to spawn, making them easy to catch. It’s been illegal to catch and keep a goliath grouper since 1990. Harvest and possession has been prohibited in state and federal waters off Florida since 1990. Goliath groupers must be immediately returned to the water free, alive and unharmed.
Goliath grouper can grow to 800 pounds and 8 feet long. They’re susceptible to cold snaps and red tide too. Before the goliath grouper reaches full size it is preyed upon by sharks. Once fully grown, humans and large sharks are the goliath grouper’s only predators. It is safe to eat goliath grouper, despite claims it contains too much mercury. Remember these fish can live for decades, accumulating mercury over time. It is illegal in most places to eat goliath grouper.
Recreational divers have expressed concern about human safety. Goliath groupers repeatedly exposed to wounded or dead fish can become aggressive, and may harass divers. People catch goliath groupers for sport fishing or as accidental by-catch. It is illegal to catch goliath groupers in US waters since 1990 when they were classified as endangered. Goliath groupers have been described as having a mild, sweet, and buttery flavor. However, since they are not commonly eaten, the taste can vary.
Are goliath groupers aggressive?
Goliath groupers are aggressive feeders, more aggressive than sharks. Large goliath groupers should be treated with caution as they can attack humans. Groupers generally patrol reefs but can become aggressive when exposed to wounded fish and may harass divers. These sizable fish can have sharp teeth.
The Atlantic goliath grouper is a large saltwater fish. Recreational divers expressed concern about safety as groupers exposed to wounded fish can become aggressive and harass divers with speared fish. Spearfishing involves impaling the fish.
Groupers exposed to wounded fish can become aggressive and harass divers. Goliath grouper have high mercury levels making them inedible. Grouper can grow to 800 pounds and 8 feet long. It’s been illegal to catch them since 1990. Prices range from $200 to $3,000.
Large groupers will eat anything smaller, including sharks. Groupers are aggressive feeders, even more than sharks. The soft meat holds together well. Juveniles live in mangroves and estuaries near oyster bars.
Goliath groupers can knock divers off balance. The biggest hooked goliath grouper weighed 680 pounds. Since 1990 it’s been illegal to capture or kill them, though some fishermen contest groupers are eating their catch.
Goliath groupers are formidable predators known to eat diverse marine creatures including other fish, sharks and sea turtles. They can exhibit territorial behavior. Grouper is a healthy, delicious choice. The goliath grouper is the largest Atlantic grouper, growing over 8 feet long and 800 pounds.
How big can a goliath grouper get?
Goliath groupers can reach 8 feet long and 800 pounds. The current world record is 680 pounds. This article explores how big groupers get, the smallest grouper species, and their lifespan.
Goliath groupers likely are the largest sea bass. Adults average 4 to 8 feet and 400 to 1,000 pounds. The all-tackle record is a 680-pound goliath caught in 1961 off Florida.
Goliaths can reach 2.5 meter lengths and 363 kilogram weights. They range in color from yellow to gray to green with black dots.
Apex predators like great white sharks prey on goliath groupers. One startling video shows a shark tearing into a grouper, its gills flaring during the attack.
The smallest grouper species weigh 5 to 20 pounds. A 40-pound fish is a trophy catch.
Goliaths are solitary, intolerant fish. Their true maximum size is unknown since they are not often studied up close. Historic accounts tell of 1,500-pound giants caught, and of goliaths eating people who fall from bridges.
Once overfished, goliaths gained legal protection in 1990. They remain mysterious as their numbers slowly rebound.