Rock Cod Stands His Ground

Greasy Rock Cod Epinephelus tauvina

A greasy rock cod or greasy grouper (Epinephelus tauvina) on Jena Reef off the coast of Mafia Island. He has mouth open to warn off myself and fellow scuba divers.

They are known for standing their ground when potential predators approach. Instead of fleeing, they remain stationary, maintaining eye-contact and showing their teeth to make themselves look as frightening as possible.

GREASY ROCK COD CLASSIFICATION

Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Serranidae
Genus: Epinephelus
Species:E. tauvina

Photo shot on 18mm with a Canon 7D and 18-55mm Lenserock cod 2 in an Ikelite eTTL Housingrock cod 2 with Ikelite Flat Port and two Ikelite DS-161 Strobes.