JewFish

Jewfish

Jewfish, also know by the more politically correct term Goliath Grouper, grow to the size of a small automobile. While most of the creatures of the world's oceans are wary of humans, the Jewfish are highly territorial. They will chase divers and anything else that invades their space away from the part of the ocean that they have staked out as their own. They suck in large quantities of water and expel it forcefully through their gills producing a loud thumping sound as a warning. If you are foolish enough to ignore this warning, the large fish have been known to ram divers. Best to find another area of the ocean to explore. They are not outwardly aggressive and will only be a problem if you don't respect their territory.

Andrew Donn's SCUBA Diving Web Site

Critters

	Dolphins
	MantaRay
	Octopus
	Puffer
	Turtle
	Manatee
	Squid
	Jewfish

	U2513 I caught this image by sticking my camera through a small opening in the hull. At the time I thought I was just shooting the inside of the sub. It didn't realize until reviewing the footage what I had caught on film.
	Rhein This small Jewfish patrols the upper decks of the Rhein.
	Rhein It appears that he has been hooked by a fisherman. The white spot on his upper lip is damage from the encounter.
	Wilkes Barre This little Jewfish displays that this part of the wreck is his territory. I decide to find another way around.
	Wilkes Barre This massive Jewfish fins gently into the current blowing over the deck of the Wilkes Barre. He is almost eight feet in length!
	Oil Wreck On a night dive on the Oil wreck I came across this guy.
	Oil Wreck How is this for a close encounter? The tail of this massive fish actually brushes the lens of the camera as I get this shot.
	Oil Wreck This is a display of agitation. By drawing in large quantities of water and expelling it forcefully across their gill plates, these fish can produce a loud thumping sound as a signal to leave them alone. It also can stir up a lot of silt. I decided to check out a different part of the wreck after this.
	Baja California This lone Jewfish appeared out of the gloom during a dive on the Baja. Several of his buddies were also on the wreck.
	Baja California He turns to get a better look and check me out.
	Baja California He doesn't seem too interested in what I'm up to so he goes about his business.
	Holstein This shy Jewfish disappears around a corner as I try to get a shot of him.