Can a goliath grouper eat a human?
Goliath groupers may sound intimidating—and for most fish, they are! But humans have little to fear from these creatures. In fact, many people familiar with them call the fish “gentle giants.” It’s still smart to stay away from fully grown goliath groupers. They could eat a person if they wanted to!
How do you identify a goliath grouper?
Appearance
- Head and fins have tiny dark spots.
- Irregular dark bars on the sides.
- Eyes are small and set forward.
- Caudal and pectoral fins are rounded.
- First dorsal fin is much shorter than the second dorsal fin.
- Dorsal spines low; all nearly the same height.
Can you eat small goliath grouper?
Is it edible? You can find Goliath grouper on the menu in other countries, such as Cuba, so it is definitely a fish that can be eaten. It is not as tender as some fish, but it makes excellent fish stew and chowder, which is how the fish is often prepared.
What is the average size of a goliath grouper?
8.2 feet
The goliath grouper is the largest grouper in the western Atlantic. Growing to lengths of 8.2 feet (2.5 m), this grouper can weigh as much as 800 pounds (363 kg). In Florida, the largest hook and line captured specimen weighed 680 pounds (309 kg).
Is goliath grouper friendly?
Meet the Goliath Grouper Groupers are generally a friendly species and can be found patrolling artificial and coral reefs alike, primarily in shallow tropical waters.
Can you take a goliath grouper out of the water?
Harvest and possession has been prohibited in both state and federal waters off Florida since 1990. Must be immediately returned to the water free, alive and unharmed. Photographs can be taken but only during the active act of release. Large goliath groupers should be left in the water during release.
Is it legal to keep a goliath grouper?
What to do when you’ve caught a goliath grouper? Harvest and possession has been prohibited in both state and federal waters off Florida since 1990. Must be immediately returned to the water free, alive and unharmed. Photographs can be taken but only during the active act of release.
What is the best grouper to eat?
Black Grouper
Grouper. There are more than 400 different species of grouper in the sea, but the most popular Florida favorites are Black Grouper, Red Grouper and Gag. This type of fish has a very mild flavor (somewhere in between seabass and halibut) with a light, sweet taste and large, chunky flakes, almost like lobster or crab.
What do you do if you catch a goliath grouper?
What to do when you’ve caught a goliath grouper?
- Must be immediately returned to the water free, alive and unharmed.
- Photographs can be taken but only during the active act of release.
- Large goliath groupers should be left in the water during release.