Explore by Animal
Queensland Grouper
In the 1970s, a magazine reported that a giant grouper off the coast of California snatched up a scuba diver, then coughed him back up when it couldn’t bite through. Maybe it was a case of mistaken identity, but it’s certainly plausible that a burly 9-foot-long, 800-pound fish might cast a hungry eye on a deep-sea human.
Even at a more typical 400 to 600 pounds, the Queensland grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus) is the largest of all reef bony fishes. While it may hover near people out of bold curiosity, it is more likely to slurp up a fish, spiny lobster, or juvenile sea turtle. Not built for long-distance speed, this grouper hunts using the Double L Method—fish speak for lurk and lunge. It will quietly patrol the waters like an undercover cop, or blend into the background with its potatolike coloring, then ambush prey so fast that even humans can’t see its big mouth swallow them up.
Groupers belong to a prominent family (Serranidae) that contains more than 400 incredibly diverse species. Whether fairylike or gigantic, all serranids are key reef predators. Giant groupers often build homes in the caves, coral and wrecks of shallow waters. Since they need ample space to survive, their populations are always quite small. But because they make popular pets and menu items, they are listed as vulnerable.
Shedd's most famous Queensland grouper was Bubba, who lived at Shedd from 1987 until his death in 2006. A mere 10 inches when he was abandoned at the aquarium in a cooler, he grew to 4½ feet and 154 pounds. His transformation at Shedd wasn't limited to size. As is common among many reef-fish species, Bubba was born female and changed into a "supermale." Sex change is a natural mechanism to provide giant males that will spawn with harems to maximize the species' reproductive potential. In 2002 and again in 2003, Bubba underwent surgery and chemotherapy for cancer. Shedd's veterinarians attributed his death in August 2006 to health problems related to his age and medical history.
You can find a young female Queensland grouper in Wild Reef. Visit often to see just what she might turn into!
See more photos, video and stories of other Shedd fishes in the Interactive section.
