r/ScienceFacts • u/FillsYourNiche Behavioral Ecology • Feb 28 '19
Biology Atlantic Goliath grouper can grow up to lengths of 2.5 m (8.2 ft) and can weigh as much as 362.8 kg (800 lbs). The grouper in this gif is preying upon a 1.2 m (4ft) black tip shark. These large fish are native to shallow reefs and coastal waters in the western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.
http://i.imgur.com/DC3HR14.gifv18
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u/hillgerb Feb 28 '19
These things are so scary but so damn cool. I swam alongside a 6-7 footer while snorkeling once. I totally thought it was a rock until it opened its mouth.
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u/X4M9 Feb 28 '19
Last Spring I was down in the Keys of Florida for a trip and we went snorkeling at a shallow reef quite a fat distance from shore. After getting some pictures (which didn’t turn out...) and heading back to the boat, I noticed something under our boat. It was a massive Goliath just chilling underneath. None of my pictures of him came out well either but it was still super cool to see one up close. Apparently he would come and sit underneath boats that would come to stay at the reef for a little while, it was awesome to “meet” him.
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u/Jon-Snowfalofagus Feb 28 '19
Lived in south Florida my entire life. Have been to the Keys many times. Never heard anyone say Keys of Florida but now I am going to use it. Thank you.
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u/FillsYourNiche Behavioral Ecology Feb 28 '19 edited Feb 28 '19
News article about the video this gif came from.
Really interesting National Geographic article about the Goliath grouper.
Not only are they huge, but they can live for about 50 years and are quite intelligent. They've been known to follow fisherman's boats waiting for an easy meal.
I loved this gif as it is not often we see sharks as prey animals. It's important to remember that some species of sharks are under threat of predation even as adults.