Groupers are carnivorous fishes that are typically large and slow moving, found under ledges and caverns.  They feed primarily upon fishes and large crustaceans.  Due to the high fish diet, many shallow water reef species can contain enough ciguatoxin to cause illness and caution should be exercised when eating fish in areas where ciguatera poisoning is common, including Hawaii..

True Groupers or Sea Basses are nearly absent in Hawai'i.  The only fish divers are likely to see is the blue-spotted Peacock Grouper that was intentionally introduced in 1956 (that was dumb) along with the dreaded Ta'ape.  Several other large groupers were released but fortunately none became established.

There are three native species recorded from Hawaiian waters.  Several Jewfish weighing hundreds of pounds have been caught, but none have been reported recently, therefore the population may have been wiped out.   The Hawaiian Grouper Hapu'upu'u is a deepwater endemic caught while bottom fishing.  It may be seen by divers at Midway along with the colorful Schlegel's Grouper.

Hanauma Bay, Oahu, 25 feet

Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii, 10 feet

Inhabits coral reefs at scuba depths.  Attains 24 inches.  Introduced to Hawaii from Moorea in 1956, now common.  Often contains Ciguatoxin and should not be eaten unless tested and confirmed to be safe.  Indo-Pacific.

Juvenile, Waikiki Aquarium

Chromis, Midway Atoll, 75 feet

Fish Hole, Midway Atoll, 30 feet

Fish Hole, Midway Atoll, 30 feet

Endemic to Hawaii.  Inhabits deep water around the main islands, but shallower at Midway.  Uncommon and sensitive to overfishing.  Attains at least 3 feet and 50 pounds.

Nagoya Aquarium, Japan

Rare in caves at scuba depths and endangered due to overfishing and slow growth rate.  Represented by waifs in Hawaii, it does not maintain a breeding population.  Attains at least 5 feet and 560 pounds.  Indo-Pacific, including the Red Sea, Hawaii, New Zealand, and Pitcairn Island.

Subadult, Wakatobi, Indonesia, 75 feet

Fairly common on clear coral reefs.  Attains 17 inches.  Indo-Pacific, Red Sea to Japan and Samoa.

Wakatobi, Indonesia, 75 feet

Rare along dropoffs deeper than 100 feet.  Attains 13 inches.  Scattered localities throughout the Indo-Pacific.

Wakatobi, Indonesia, 50 feet

Uncommon on coral reefs at scuba depths.  Attains 11 inches.  Indian Ocean fish lack white on the caudal fin.  Indo-Pacific to Japan and French Polynesia.

Grand Bahama Island

Common on reefs and seagrass beds.  Attains 17 inches.  Bermuda and North Carolina south to the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.

Cabo Pulmo, Baja California, Mexico, 50 feet

A shy fish found in dark holes or seaweed at scuba depths.  Attains 12 inches.  Sea of Cortez to Peru.  Related to A. afer from the Western Atlantic.

Cabo Pulmo, Baja California, Mexico, 50 feet

Fairly common on rocky reefs.  Attains 20 inches.  Sea of Cortez to Peru and the Galapagos.

Cabo San Lucas, Baja California, Mexico, 30 feet

Common on rocky reefs.  Attains 12 inches.  Sea of Cortez to Colombia and offshore islands.

Cabo Pulmo, Baja California, Mexico, 50 feet

Inhabits rocky reefs.  Rare individuals are bright yellow.  Magdalena Bay to Los Cabos and the Sea of Cortez.

Cabo Pulmo, Baja California, Mexico, 20 feet

Common on sandy reefs.  Attains 5 inches.  Sea of Cortez to Peru and the Galapagos.

Juvenile, Rock Quarry, Catalina, California, 45 feet

Long Point, Catalina, California, 30 feet

Common in kelp forests & rocky reefs.  Excellent food fish.  Attains 29 inches but usually much less.  Outer Baja California to the Columbia River.

Italian Gardens, Catalina, California, 50 feet

Endangered species from Northern California to the Sea of Cortez.  Rare due to overfishing but making a comeback.  Adults aggregate at scuba depths in certain locations to spawn.  Attains a length of at least 7 feet, 500 pounds, and 100 years of age.

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