Male_Epinephelus_marginatus_agressive_towards_females (Dusky Groupers)

A bottom-dwelling fish widely distributed in the Mediterranean Sea, Eastern Atlantic and Western Indian Ocean. The dusky grouper is a protogynous hermaphrodite, which means it matures as a female (after around 5 years of age) but later develops into a male as it grows larger and older (9 - 16 years old). The dusky grouper lives a relatively solitary and sedentary life, except during the breeding season (June-September) when they form aggregations, usually in the ratios of 7 females to 1 male. Dominant males establish territories and demonstrate strong territorial behavior towards neighbouring males and smaller females. Diet consists of crustaceans, molluscs and fish.
Over-fishing and spearfishing have caused a dramatic decline in the numbers of this species, leading to the banning of spearfishing of this species in France (1993). The dusky grouper was recently added to the endangered teleost list in Annex 3 of the Bern Convention.
Footage: Freediver George Pavlides

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Epinephelus marginatus
• Dusky grouper
• mediterranean
• freedive
• George Pavlides