goliath grouper

noun

variants or Goliath grouper

plural goliath groupers or goliath grouper or Goliath groupers or Goliath grouper

: a very large grouper (Epinephelus itajara) of shallow waters especially of the western Atlantic Ocean from southern Florida to Brazil that may reach weights of up to 800 pounds (363 kilograms)

Note: This fish was formerly known as the jewfish but was officially renamed by the American Fisheries Society and Committee on Names of Fishes in 2001 due to the offensiveness of the historical name.

Examples of goliath grouper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Lots of sea life like goliath groupers, sea turtles, sharks, and large schools of deep-sea fish can be found in and around the structures, as can microorganisms like corals, sea stars, and invertebrates. —Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2024

The charter boat Two Conchs out of Marathon reported his clients have been bending their fishing rods with catch and release African pompano, big goliath groupers and a few nice cobias. —Alan Sherman, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024

Then a fish reveals itself, a goliath grouper. —Helen Scales, Discover Magazine, 19 Mar. 2019

Now, however, while the population is still in recovery, REEF volunteers are almost guaranteed a goliath grouper sighting in certain locations. —Allie Wilkinson, Discover Magazine, 24 Apr. 2014

Word History

First Known Use

2001, in the meaning defined above