Home > Fishes > Groupers & Anthias > Epinephelus itajara

Created 12/9/2012

Family Serranidae

ATLANTIC OCEAN

Epinephelus itajara

Looe Key, Florida, 30 feet

 

Vandenburg wreck, Key West, 120 feet

Vandenburg wreck, Key West, 120 feet

ATLANTIC GOLIATH GROUPER or JEWFISH

Critically endangered species nearly exterminated due to fishing, recovering populations now occur in marine protected areas.  Inhabits coral reefs and wrecks, juveniles may enter estuaries.  Attains 8 feet and 800 pounds.  Primarily tropical but occurs from Massachusetts to Brazil and Senegal to Congo.