Reef fish
Nassau grouper
Epinephelus striatus
A large, curious grouper that once formed huge spawning aggregations across the Caribbean. Seen on the Lighthouse Reef walls; the atoll's protected status matters for a species this heavily fished. Winter spawning aggregations form near reef promontories after full moons.
- Max size
- Up to ~1.2m
- Habitat
- Coral reefs; spawning aggregations at reef promontories
Best places to dive with Nassau grouper
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | peak season |
| February | peak season |
| March | peak season |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Nassau grouper are resident around Little Cayman; the documented spawning aggregation occurs after full moons in January, February and sometimes March.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
A curious reef resident on Bonaire; the species is endangered range-wide, so protected populations here are notable.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Resident on the reef year-round. Spawning aggregations form around the December-March full moons at specific promontories. Listed Critically Endangered by the IUCN since 2018 after declines exceeding 80%; Belize protects it with closed seasons and no-take zones.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Nassau grouper may occur on protected and unprotected reef sections.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Nassau grouper occur around Cayman Brac; no visitor-accessible spawning peak is promised.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Nassau grouper occur on Bahamian reefs but are not assigned a visitor season here.
Sources & last checked
Checked July 2026
Research is source-backed, but conditions and fees should still be confirmed locally.
View 2 sources and checking notes
- Nassau grouper, Wikipedia
- Nassau Grouper Becomes Critically Endangered, Wildlife Conservation Society