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Comprehensive information about diving and undersea medicine for the non-medical diver, the non-diving physician and the specialist. |
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Large Grouper
(Other Photos)
Read About Other Predators Here
Table of Contents for Diving Medicine Here
Read Frequently Asked Questions Here
(Other Photos)
Read About Other Predators Here
Table of Contents for Diving Medicine Here
Read Frequently Asked Questions Here
Grouper have several sets of teeth,
placed in the mouth to act as raspers
or holding teeth. The fish gulps down its prey using these raspers to
prevent
the smaller fish from escaping. The teeth are not used to tear or
slash,
as with barracuda or sharks.
Personal experience with a large Nassau
grouper ("Herbie") on a trip
to Stella Maris in the Bahamas resulted in the loss of skin from the
back
of my right hand and fingers, followed by a severe infection. "Herbie",
with other groupers not quite so large, were accustomed to being fed at
"Grouper City", a dive site off Long Island. I was put into the water
without
food for them and unluckily for me, without my gloves. While beating
off
another grouper in front of me, "Herbie" took my entire fist and
forearm
into his mouth and as I struck forward, his raspers ripped off and
abraded
considerable skin of the back of my hand.
The jewfish is a member of the
grouper family and some can get as
large as 800 pounds, and can easily endanger a human, although I know
of
no reports. This fish is totally protected in Florida waters.
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Ernest Campbell, MD, FACS All Rights Reserved. |