Major Stages in the Grouper Life Cycle:
Groupers use External Fertilization:
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Definition: Spawn is the eggs and sperm released into water by aquatic animals. The process of spawning usually involves females releasing unfertilized eggs into the water, while males release spermatozoa to fertilize the eggs
Grouper mature only as females and have the ability to change sex after sexual maturity. Groupers often pair spawn, which enables large males to compete with and exclude smaller males from reproducing. Some groupers are gonochoristic and this evolution of gonochorism is linked to group spawning high amounts of habitat cover. Both group spawning and habitat cover increase the likelihood of a smaller male to reproduce in the presence of large males.
Ex: Gag, a type of grouper, change sex from male to female with increased size. Sexual transition occurs between 10 and 11 years of age. Sexual Maturity is attained at age 5 or 6, when fish are 27 to 30 inches long. Spawning takes place in February off the coast of the Carolinas and in January through March in the Gulf of Mexico.
Grouper mature only as females and have the ability to change sex after sexual maturity. Groupers often pair spawn, which enables large males to compete with and exclude smaller males from reproducing. Some groupers are gonochoristic and this evolution of gonochorism is linked to group spawning high amounts of habitat cover. Both group spawning and habitat cover increase the likelihood of a smaller male to reproduce in the presence of large males.
Ex: Gag, a type of grouper, change sex from male to female with increased size. Sexual transition occurs between 10 and 11 years of age. Sexual Maturity is attained at age 5 or 6, when fish are 27 to 30 inches long. Spawning takes place in February off the coast of the Carolinas and in January through March in the Gulf of Mexico.
Principle Habitats for each stage in the Life Cycle:
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Spawn- Sperm in the open water
Fertilized Eggs- The eggs once the sperm has met with them in the open water
Larvae- Remain in the open ocean for 40-60 days before reaching inshore nursery grounds.
Juveniles: Live in shallow-water near reefs where they remain for 4 to 5 years. They remain in their nursery habitat for periods that vary from 5-6 months (Gag) to 5 to 6 years (Goliath Grouper).
Adults- Adults live in rock formations and crevices of limestone reef as deep as 300 feet.
Fertilized Eggs- The eggs once the sperm has met with them in the open water
Larvae- Remain in the open ocean for 40-60 days before reaching inshore nursery grounds.
Juveniles: Live in shallow-water near reefs where they remain for 4 to 5 years. They remain in their nursery habitat for periods that vary from 5-6 months (Gag) to 5 to 6 years (Goliath Grouper).
Adults- Adults live in rock formations and crevices of limestone reef as deep as 300 feet.
Why are these habitats advantageous?
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One of the major habitats of grouper fish is coral reefs. This habitat is advantageous because it serves as a nesting ground for fish eggs and larvae that eventually populate fish habitats. Coral reefs are very bio diverse providing food and shelter for all in animals in that area. Juveniles live in mangroves and sea grass beds. Again, this provides food and shelter from larger prey animals. Sea grass beds and mangroves are very diverse ecosystems allowing for the juvenile fish to grow into adults. The energy consuming task of growing eggs is left to the younger fish that are healthy and strong while the larger fish that have proven their ability to survive can fertilize the eggs as males. This is an advantageous way for keeping populations of grouper fish strong.
The Coney Grouper only reaches up to 9 inches. Compared to the Giant Grouper that can reach up to 12 feet and weigh as much as 880 pounds!!
Citations
"Grouper Ecology." FSU Coastal & Marine Laboratory. The Florida State University, 2014. Web. 12 Jan. 2016."
"NC Department of Environment and Natural ResourcesMarine Fisheries- Gag Grouper."
https://www.marinelab.fsu.edu/labs/ck/grouper-ecology/
https://www.marinelab.fsu.edu/labs/ck/grouper-ecology/goliath/
The Coney Grouper only reaches up to 9 inches. Compared to the Giant Grouper that can reach up to 12 feet and weigh as much as 880 pounds!!
Citations
"Grouper Ecology." FSU Coastal & Marine Laboratory. The Florida State University, 2014. Web. 12 Jan. 2016."
"NC Department of Environment and Natural ResourcesMarine Fisheries- Gag Grouper."
https://www.marinelab.fsu.edu/labs/ck/grouper-ecology/
https://www.marinelab.fsu.edu/labs/ck/grouper-ecology/goliath/