[Coral-List] Do goliath grouper eat lionfish?

[Rachel T. Graham]

Hello Coral Listers and fellow goliath grouper researchers,

 

Do we have any direct evidence yet of lionfish being eaten by goliath
grouper? It would make sense that they would and I have taken out many a
ray/catfish spine or old hook from a GG stomach but I have not yet come
across any lionfish spines - and we have a LOT of lionfish in Belize now. I
can't seem to find any evidence for GG preying on the lionfish aside from
anecdotal reports of lower abundances of lionfish in locations of high GG
abundances.

 

Any confirmations of predation would be greatly appreciated.

 

Best

 

Rachel

 

 

 

Dr. Rachel T. Graham

Ocean Giants Program

Wildlife Conservation Society

PO Box 76

Punta Gorda

Belize

t: +501 722 0063

e: rgraham at wcs.org