Clever grouper is fascinated with what divers are photographing

Groupers are a large reef fish that inhabit much of the Caribbean. Known for their curiosity and their intelligence, it is not unusual for a grouper to follow divers at a distance. Here in the marine park off the coast of Little Cayman Island, the animals are treated with a great deal of respect, and they have learned that humans pose no threat. The groupers in particular have developed an unusual level of trust. Able to recognize and differentiate between specific divers, groupers will occasionally approach so close that they are almost nose to nose with those with whom they have become familiar. They also understand that humans will occasionally spear hunt for lionfish, an invasive and very destructive fish that is wiping out populations of natural reef fish. The groupers have learned that they can follow divers to catch the injured fish. Groupers will frequently find lionfish and stare at them, waiting for the divers to come and spear them. It is an example of extreme intelligence and interspecies communication that is very rare in nature. Groupers are known for trying to communicate with humans, and even with moray eels, in an effort to hunt cooperatively.

While this group of scuba divers were excitedly photographing a small seahorse, a rare find that had them gathered around a coral outcropping, the grouper recognized that they were all looking at something unusual. Curiosity got the better of him and he moved in for a closer look. This curiosity and lack of fear is remarkable and very endearing. The divers were all very amused by the interest shown by this fish. Even after discovering that they were not looking at what he would consider food, their behavior still seemed to intrigue him. After getting photographs of the seahorse, many took pictures of the grouper looking on as well.

Groupers in the Cayman Islands make diving a lot more interesting.