Goliath Grouper

For over a century scientists had thought that the goliath grouper fish living in the Pacific Ocean were the same species as the ones living in the Atlantic Ocean. However, in a recent study lead by Dr. Matthew Craig of the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, it was discovered that the fish are actually two different species.¹ DNA analysis has proved that the identical looking fish, which can grow to over six-feet-long and weigh 1,000 lbs., actually have different genes.² Researchers now believe that the fish were the same species until their ocean homes were divided by Central America approximately 3.5 million years ago.³

Fast Facts

1. The Pacific species, now classified as Epinephelus quinquefasciatus, is described in a recent issue of the Endangered Species Research journal³
2. The Atlantic species, classified as Epinephelus itajara, is listed as a critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature³
3. In light of findings, the Pacific goliath grouper could be handled with separate management and conservation strategies¹
4. Goliath grouper can grow to six-feet-long and weigh 1,000 lbs.
5. Called a jewfish until its name was changed to goliath grouper in 2001⁴

Discovered By

• University of Hawaii¹
• The Wildlife Conservation Society¹
• Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute¹
• National Marine Fisheries Service¹
• Projecto Meros do Brazil¹

Related Pages on Mahalo

David Haynes | Marine Biology | Scuba Diving | Jacques Cousteau | Atlantic Ocean | Pacific Ocean | DNA

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