Big-lipped reef ambushers. Giant groupers reach 2.7 metres, the heaviest reef fish you'll meet.
Groupers are the heaviest reef fish in the Indo-Pacific. The giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus) reaches 2.7 metres and 400 kg, dwarfing every other reef predator. Smaller species like the coral grouper (Plectropomus spp.) are the colourful, lipstick-pink hunters you'll see darting between coral heads.
They're ambush predators: they wait motionless in caves and ledges, then explode forward for a sub-second strike. Many species are born female and change sex to male with age (the so-called 'queen-to-king' switch in the largest individuals).
Andaman, Maldives, Red Sea, Komodo and Sipadan all have multiple grouper species. Spawning aggregations, historically vast gatherings at specific full moons, have crashed under fishing pressure, but Cayman's Nassau grouper and the Red Sea aggregations are recovering at protected sites.
Tap a month to highlight it across destinations, or hover any cell for details.
18 destinations across Goa, Andamans, SE Asia, Indian Ocean, Arabian Gulf, East Africa, peak seasons vary by location, so plan your trip around the right destination AND the right month.
Tier 1Groupers here: Jan–May, Oct–Dec · 12 sites
Tier 2Groupers here: Jan–Apr, Dec · 30 sites
Tier 1Groupers here: Apr–Nov · 35 sites
Tier 1Groupers here: Feb–Sep · 25 sites
Tier 1Groupers here: Jan–Apr, Nov–Dec · 40 sites
Tier 2Groupers here: Jan–Apr, Nov–Dec · 15 sites
Tier 2Groupers here: Apr–Nov · 25 sites
Tier 2Groupers here: Jan–May, Dec · 30 sites
Tier 2Groupers here: Jan–Apr, Oct–Dec · 25 sites
Tier 2Groupers here: Jan–Apr, Sep–Dec · 20 sites
Tier 4Coming soonGroupers here: Jan–May, Oct–Dec · 15 sites
Tier 3Groupers here: Apr–Nov · 40 sites
Tier 3Coming soonGroupers here: Jan–Feb, Jul–Dec · 22 sites
Tier 3Coming soonGroupers here: Apr–Oct · 12 sites
Tier 3Coming soonGroupers here: Jan–May, Nov–Dec · 20 sites
Tier 3Coming soonGroupers here: Mar–Oct · 18 sites
Tier 4Coming soonGroupers here: Apr–May, Sep–Nov · 30 sites
Tier 4Coming soonGroupers here: Jan–Apr, Oct–Dec · 50 sites
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