A Goliath grouper estimated at 400 kilograms has been caught
by fishermen in the Gulf of Ulloa near Las Barrancas on the Baja coast.
The fish was so large it filled the bed of a pickup truck
that the fishermen used to bring it from the dock.
This individual is thought to be one of the largest Goliath
groupers ever caught and is testament to the rich feeding grounds in the Gulf
of California.
The Pacific goliath grouper is found primarily in shallow
tropical waters among coral and artificial reefs at depths of up to 165 feet
(50 m). Their range includes the area from the Gulf of California to Peru. They
feed on crustaceans, other fish, octopuses and young sea turtles and juveniles are
preyed upon by large fish such as barracuda, moray eels and large sharks.
Goliath groupers are believed to be protogynous
hermaphrodites, with individuals first maturing as females and only some large
adults becoming males. Most grouper follow this pattern, but it has not yet been
verified for the goliath.
The Goliath grouper has been listed as one of the top 10
most endangered fish species.