Atlantic Goliath Grouper

How much do you tip a cleaning wrasse?A wise man once said: Why tip someone for a job Im capable of doing myself?... I can, and do, cut my own hair. I did, however, tip my urologist, because I am unable to pulverize my own kidney stones.Atlantic Goliath GrouperEpinephelus itajaraCudjoe Key Great White Heron National Wildlife RefugeMonroe County Florida, USAOlympus OM-D E-M5 Mark IIOlympus 14-42mm II R LensPT-EP13 Underwater Housing, PPZR-EP02 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom GearSea Life CamerasSea Dragon 1200 & 2000 Underwater LightPhil's 1stPix Instagram

A Goliath in training rests along the bottom on Cudjoe Avenue.At about five feet down, even with 3200 Lumens, give or take, the shade of the mangrove roots make color correction a challenge.Atlantic Goliath GrouperEpinephelus itajaraCudjoe Key Great White Heron National Wildlife RefugeMonroe County Florida, USAOlympus OM-D E-M5 Mark IIOlympus 14-42mm II R LensPT-EP13 Underwater Housing, PPZR-EP02 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom GearSea Life CamerasSea Dragon 1200 & 2000 Underwater Light

When the current gets going, the Goliath Grouper take shelter in the network of rock and sponge caves.It can be a little tricky holding on, squeezing in and getting a decent shot, all without stirring the bottom or scaring them.Atlanitc Goliath GrouperEpinephelus itajaraCudjoe Key Great White Heron National Wildlife RefugeMonroe County Florida, USAOlympus OM-D E-M5 Mark IIOlympus 14-42mm II R LensPT-EP13 Underwater Housing, PPZR-EP02 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom GearSea Life CamerasSea Dragon 1200 & 2000 Underwater LightPhil's 1stPix on iNaturalist

It's a challenge to hold it steady when the current is cooking, and while the lights certainly allow you to see, as soon as the Grouper stir up the bottom your shot goes out the window. Atlanitc Goliath GrouperEpinephelus itajaraCudjoe Key Great White Heron National Wildlife RefugeMonroe County Florida, USAOlympus OM-D E-M5 Mark IIOlympus 14-42mm II R LensPT-EP13 Underwater Housing, PPZR-EP02 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom GearSea Life CamerasSea Dragon 1200 & 2000 Underwater LightPhil's 1stPix on iNaturalist

All you have to do is hang a jaw out and be patient.Make sure you tell the wrasse if you have a coupon before they begin.Atlantic Goliath GrouperEpinephelus itajaraCudjoe Key Great White Heron National Wildlife RefugeMonroe County Florida, USAOlympus OM-D E-M5 Mark IIOlympus 14-42mm II R LensPT-EP13 Underwater Housing, PPZR-EP02 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom GearSea Life CamerasSea Dragon 1200 & 2000 Underwater LightPhil's 1stPix Instagram

The biggest always get the best spot to shelter in.Clarity can be a factor here when the water is rough, especially when the current is racing through, but there's no shortage of specimens. Atlantic Goliath GrouperEpinephelus itajaraCudjoe Key Great White Heron National Wildlife RefugeMonroe County Florida, USAOlympus OM-D E-M5 Mark IIOlympus 14-42mm II R LensPT-EP13 Underwater Housing, PPZR-EP02 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom GearSea Life CamerasSea Dragon 1200 & 2000 Underwater LightiNaturalist: Observation MapPhil's 1stPix on iNaturalist

If that's actually Ms. Goliath, I guess the caption should read: "Grouper Beauty Salon Open for Business."Atlantic Goliath GrouperEpinephelus itajaraCudjoe Key Great White Heron National Wildlife RefugeMonroe County Florida, USAOlympus OM-D E-M5 Mark IIOlympus 14-42mm II R LensPT-EP13 Underwater Housing, PPZR-EP02 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom GearSea Life CamerasSea Dragon 1200 & 2000 Underwater LightPhil's 1stPix Instagram