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The itajara or goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara), also known as the goliath grouper. The name "jewfish" was thought objectionable to some Jews, and the name was changed.
The goliath grouper is found primarily in shallow tropical waters among coral and artificial reefs. Their range includes the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, and most of the Caribbean.
Due to their extremely large size (over 600 lbs when mature), and fine food quality, the goliath grouper were a highly sought after quarry for fishermen of all types. The goliath grouper's inquisitive and generally fearless nature made it relatively easy prey for spear fishermen, until a harvest ban was placed on the species a decade or so ago.
The species' population has been recovering since the ban, however with the fish's slow growth rate it will take some time for populations to return to their previous levels.
External links
- "Epinephelus itajara (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?genusname=Epinephelus&speciesname=itajara)". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. October 2004 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2004.
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