Reel Talk: Amanda goes diving with goliath grouper

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The goliath grouper spawning aggregation happens annually from July through October.

8 On Your Side’s Amanda Holly went diving off the east coast of Florida to see the gathering of these gentle giants.

Goliath grouper are the largest of the Atlantic groupers. They can weigh up to 800 pounds and grow to over 8 feet long. In general, they are fairly docile unless provoked. Although large, they are not considered hunters but rather opportunistic feeders known to feed on crabs and struggling fish.

They are known to travel over 60 miles to the same wrecks, reefs and ledges annually to spawn and reproduce in groups of 100 or more.

While diving out of Jupiter, FL, Amanda saw a plethora of other marine life including turtles, moray eels, a variety of fish and corals and of course, sharks. She got a chance to see “Jenny,” a resident 12-14 foot tiger shark that sometimes appears on the “wreck trek.”

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