Coney grouper and eel
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Coney grouper and eel
Coney grouper (Cephalopholis fulvus) following a sharptail eel (Myrichthys breviceps) as it rootles amongst sand and rocks for food. The grouper will take any small food item unearthed by the eel. These fish are found in shallow tropical waters in the western Atlantic. The eel feeds mainly on crabs, and can reach a length of over a metre. The coney is known to follow eels while they hunt, but also hunts smaller fish and crabs by itself. It can reach a length of around 40 centimetres. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite. This means that all the fish start life female, but turn male as they grow. In the case of the coney, females become mature at around 16cm and turn male at 20cm. Photographed off Bonaire Islands in the Netherlands Antilles, in the Caribbean Sea
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Media ID 6458801
© GEORGETTE DOUWMA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Bonaire Caribbean Sea Grouper Hunting Netherlands Antilles Sandy Sea Bed Coney Opportunism
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a fascinating interaction between a Coney grouper and a Sharptail eel in the shallow tropical waters of the western Atlantic. The Coney grouper, scientifically known as Cephalopholis fulvus, closely follows the eel, Myrichthys breviceps, as it diligently searches for food among sand and rocks. This opportunistic behavior allows the grouper to snatch up any small morsels unearthed by its companion. Both species have unique feeding habits and preferences. The eel primarily feeds on crabs and can grow to impressive lengths of over a meter. On the other hand, the coney is not only reliant on following eels but also hunts smaller fish and crabs independently. With an average length of around 40 centimeters, this protogynous hermaphrodite undergoes a gender transformation from female to male as it matures. The photograph was taken off Bonaire Islands in the Netherlands Antilles within the breathtaking Caribbean Sea. It showcases these marine creatures amidst coral rubble while highlighting their biological characteristics and hunting instincts underwater. As part of Science Photo Library's collection, this image beautifully encapsulates nature's wonders with its focus on animal behavior, wildlife exploration, sandy habitats, zoology studies, marine biology research, and tropical ecosystems.
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