Giant Grouper
Epinephelus lanceolatus
Sighting evidence at HMS Hermes, Batticaloa
Photo: Ian Banks · CC BY-NC
Several giant groupers have taken up permanent residency in the deeper sections of the HMS Hermes wreck, occupying the enclosed spaces of the engine rooms and lower hull corridors where they ambush the fish and cephalopod prey that shelter in the wreck's interior. The largest individuals on the Hermes are estimated to exceed 200 kilograms, making them among the largest bony fish encountered on any Sri Lankan dive. Their longevity — they can live for over 40 years — means individuals encountered today may have colonised the wreck within a decade of its sinking.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Giant Grouper is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.