Goliath Groupers

[DIVERTOM]

It's that time of the year and the goliath groupers are
coming back to the Hole in the Wall or also know as the
Cave off of Jupiter. The last report was 20 or so groupers.
An explanation of the dive can be found in Underwater
Florida on pg.243, number 16. This is a great dive this time
of year. I have done the dive numerous times with the
http://www.jupiterdivecenter.com/ The groupers come
to spawn here from their local habitat. Really a sight
to see. The dive center does the dive every Friday and
probably during the week for a group that wanted to go.

Diver Tom

 

[CBulla]

Interesting. I can tell you where you can find some goliaths about the size of your hand right up to modern VW Bug size - never really heard of them being somewhat migratory in their spawning habits due to the territorial nature of the fish.

I'd be interested in knowing more about this - if someone who has done this dive could pipe up with some details.

 

[DIVERTOM]

Spawning occurs during the summer months of July, August, and September throughout the goliath grouper's range and is strongly influenced by the lunar cycle. Spawning goliath grouper form impressive offshore aggregations of up to 100 or more individuals. Ship wrecks, rock ledges, and isolated patch reefs are preferred spawning habitat. In the 1980's these aggregations reached a low of less than 10 individuals per site as fishing pressure greatly impacted this species. Since receiving legislative protection the spawning aggregations of goliath grouper have risen to 20-40 individuals per location. The females release eggs while the males release sperm into the open offshore waters. After fertilization, the eggs are pelagic, dispersed by the water currents. Upon hatching, the larvae are kite-shaped, with the second dorsal-fin spine and pelvic fin spines greatly elongated. These pelagic larvae transform into benthic juveniles at lengths of one inch (2.5 cm), around 25 or 26 days after hatching.
Info from Florida Museum of Natural History {Icthcyology}

 

[Talon]

I'm doing that dive on October 8th. Hoping that they are still there. I was at JDC about two weeks ago and Randy was telling me about the spawning that is going on now. Tried to move up the dive, but just no way to fit it in my schedule.

 

[murphdivers286]

Very interesting. We will have to do that dive. Sounds like a club dive to me. Whatcha think there Conch Divers......

 

[Walter]

There are always lots of Jewfish in the Gulf. Come dive the other side if you want to see Jewfish.