scubaseason

Leopard grouper

Mycteroperca rosacea

Sighting evidence at Los Islotes Sea Lions, Sea of Cortez

The leopard grouper is endemic to the Sea of Cortez and is the apex reef predator at Los Islotes. Large individuals congregate in the boulder fields beneath the sea lion colony, capitalizing on the disturbance the sea lions cause when chasing fish. They are a key indicator of reef health in the Gulf of California and their abundance at this protected site reflects the long-term effectiveness of the Espiritu Santo national park designation.

Evidence at this site

No confirmed records on file at this site

Leopard grouper is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.

How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.