Did you know that Nassau Groupers communicate to each other by changing their skin color or pattern? Yes! The adult fish are usually light beige with dark brown vertical bars, a large black saddle blotch on top of the base of its tail, and a row of black spots just below and behind each eye.
They can change skin color or pattern within minutes in accordance to their state of behavior. This color change happens when a female fish wants to show her prospective mate that she is receptive to reproducing during spawning season or when they sense danger. Their color changes from light beige to darker brown.
Nassau Groupers are one of the biggest fish in the reefs. They can weigh as much as 25 kg and because of this, they are highly valued as commercial and recreational fish.
Nassau Groupers can live up to 29 years but they don’t mature sexually until they reach four to five years of age.
Overfishing is the major reason why their population has critically declined.
Fishing Nassau Grouper is banned in the US shore.
In the Bahamas, the species has been protected by law since 1998. It is strictly prohibited to capture, fish, or sell Nassau Grouper during mating season.
Nassau Grouper’a changing color reminded of how we can turn red or blush when we see our crush or when we are angry.
May your face blush because of love and admiration and not because of hate or aggression.
Poem by Salvacion Roselle Reyes
Photo credit: Adobe Creative Cloud Express