Preferring rocky bottoms and coral reefs, the Nassau grouper can be found at depths of at least 29 feet (90 meters). The nassau grouper is diurnal and solitary in nature, though they spawn in aggregations ranging in number from hundreds to tens of thousands. When feeding, the Nassau grouper protrudes its mouth, creating a suction that allows it to swallow its prey whole. Because they aggregate to spawn at predictable locations and times, they are especially vulnerable to overfishing. Following regional collapses of Nassau grouper populations throughout their range, many countries have implemented varying levels of protection for the spawning aggregations. In the Cayman Islands, where strong protections during spawning seasons as well as year-round closed areas were implemented in conjunction with scientific monitoring, the local Nassau grouper population has shown signs of strong recovery. However, the species is considered Critically Endangered throughout its range.
