Coral Grouper

Photo: janetsclough · CC BY-NC

Coral grouper are conspicuous residents of the Cathedral's pinnacles, their brilliant red-orange bodies covered in electric-blue spots making them one of the most visually striking fish in the Indo-Pacific. They are ambush predators that use the complex structure of the spires to stalk small fish and crustaceans, sitting motionless for minutes before exploding into action. As one of the most commercially valuable reef fish in the region, their abundance at the fully protected Osprey Reef is a powerful demonstration of the benefits of marine reserves.