GOLIATH GROUPER, TARPON, & MORE
Come meet, and even feed, some of the largest predators and most beautiful reef dwellers of the Gulf of Mexico! We have a few all-time favorites like our Goliath Grouper, Oscar the Grouch, and Tarpon that will jump out of the water to catch their next meal!
Goliath Grouper
Epinephelus itajara
Lifespan: Debated, 37-100 years
Maximum Size: 800 pounds, 8 feet long
Diet: Crustaceans, fish, octopus, sharks, barracuda
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
Fun Fact: I am the largest grouper species in he western hemisphere and am known for my keen intelligence.
Tarpon
Megalops atlanticus
Lifespan: 30-50 years
Maximum Size: 355 pounds, 8.2 feet long
Diet: variety of fishes and large invertebrates
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Fun Fact: I have very small teeth for my size and therefore swallow all of my food whole!
Snook
Centropomus undecimalis
Lifespan: debated, 20-30 years
Maximum Size: 54 pounds, 44 inches long
Diet: variety of fishes, shrimp, and crabs
Conservation Status: Not evaluated
Fun Fact: All of us are born males, but as we grow we become females, therefor we are known as protandric hermaphrodites.
Red Drum
Sciaenops ocellatus
Lifespan: 50 years
Maximum Size: 100 pounds, 40-60 inches long
Diet: variety of fishes, marine worms, and crustaceans
Conservation Status: Not evaluated
Fun Fact: We have spots on our tail that are designed to look like eyes. These "eye-spots" confuse predators when we have to make a quick escape.
Crevalle Jack
Caranx hippos
Lifespan:17-20 years
Maximum Size: 50 pounds, 20-40 inches long
Diet: variety of fishes, shrimp, invertebrates
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Fun Fact: Notice our forked tales, they help us move extremely quickly through the water. We are a fast moving, schooling fish.