Epinephelus lanceolatus is rare at Kwajalein, or the animal is sensitive enough to retreat when divers are in the area. We have seen fewer than half a dozen individuals, both in the lagoon and on the seaward reef. Others have been reported around lagoon bottom shipwrecks. They are usually spotted from a distance and disappear into the depths before we can get close enough for a photograph. The real giant of the groupers, the maximum length is reported to be about 270cm. The photo immediately below was taken near dusk by Stan Jazwinski in about 13m of water on the seaward reef slope on the west end of Kwajalein Island.
Jay Lord photographed the individual in the two photos below on the lagoon side of Kwajalein Island. He estimated the size at 6 feet (nearly 2m).
The one below was not especially large and was spotted in a seaward reef channel before it took off. These are captured frames from video.
Another 2m individual on the lagoon side of the east reef near Bigej Pass. This is a frame from low resolution Hi8 video.
Created 5 April 2017
Updated 5 March 2023