Giant/Bumblebee Grouper Epinephelus lanceolatus

The Giant Grouper, also called the Bumblebee Grouper, is native to reefs, rocks and caves of the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. It is one of the largest marine bony fish, exceptionally reaching 2.7 metres long but typically no more than 2 metres (the Goliath Grouper can also reach 2.5 metres). Weight of large adults can reach up to 400kg.

The subadult form (most images above) and the juvenile are more often called the Bumblebee Grouper because of the yellow and black stripey appearance, particularly the very young juvenile which has a yellow body with black bars. (Perhaps it is the thought of the bee sting that caused the scientific name "Lancelot".)

They are generally solitary and territorial. Even large adults have been seen in estuaries and harbours. Their diet is mainly other fish and crustaceans. Juveniles are all females. Some adults will convert to males before or after having spawned eggs as females. The species is vulnerable in the wild, although captive bred in the Far East for food.