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The black Grouper belongs to the family of the Serranidae, subfamily Epinephelinae and includes numerous species of saltwater fish; they are large fish, which generally live in depth and are appreciated for their prized meats. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite fish that lives for a long time, some estimate even over 50 years, and that becomes male around the age of 12. Therefore all large specimens are male. Cernia Nera Black Grouper Epinephelus caninus intotheblue.it
We met the Black Grouper in the Caribbean movie during a diving in the coral reef of Cayo Largo, a small island in the Los Canarreos Archipelago.
This video was made in Cayo Largo del Sur, or simply Cayo Largo is a small resort island in Cuba, off the south coast of the northwestern part of the main island in the Carribean Sea. The cay is about 25 kilometers long and 3 kilometers wide and is the second largest island in the Cannareos Archipelago. Cayo Largo is part of the special municipality of isla de la Juventud.
Cayo Largo is a limestone island, formed over millions of years from the remains of marine organisms, such as the ones that build coral reefs. Living coral reefs form one more attraction for tourists on this island, although coral bleaching has stressed some reef communities in the Carribean. The northern coast of Cayo Largo consists largely of manroves and salt pans. While the water south of the island appears clear enough to reveal the underlying ocean floor, the water on the north side of the island is cloudy. This cloudy water indicates that sediment is washing off the land surface and into the water or is being stirred up from the shallow sea floor.
Many serranid species are brightly colored, and many of the larger species are caught commercially for food. They are usually found over reefs, in tropical to subtropical waters along the coasts. Serranids are generally robust in form, with large mouths and small spines on the gill coverings. They typically have several rows of sharp teeth, usually with a pair of particularly large,canine-like teeth projecting from the lower jaw.
All serranids are carnivorous. Although some species, especially in the Anthiadinae subfamily, only feed on zooplankton, the majority feed on fish and crustaceans. They are typically ambush predators, hiding in cover on the reef and darting out to grab passing prey. Their bright colours are most likely a form of disruptive camouflage, similar to the stripes of a tiger.
Many species are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they start out as females and change sex to male later in life. They produce large quantities of eggs and their larvae are planktonic, generally at the mercy of ocean currents until they are ready to settle into adult populations.Typically groupers live in their lair, where they feel safe, and go out to get food and check the territory.
Cernia Nera Black Grouper Epinephelus caninus intotheblue.it
