Lionfish VERSUS Grouper 

We did it, boys. We taught the natives to fight back the aliens.

Lionfish: I will sting you Grouper: I like spicy food

The grouper has some level of intelligence and reasoning ability ...u can tell it is analyzing the lion fish

The grouper was going for a head shot. That way he wouldn't have to deal with the spines. Watch the Lionfish, he's constantly turning away from the grouper and putting his spines out. Good to see that Lionfish have some natural predators.

It was clear to me that the lionfish was herded by the grouper. The grouper went right in between the rocks and lionfish and came out as soon as the lionfish began to move out into more open water.

That was obviously not that grouper's first rodeo. Its hunt had all the hallmarks of experience.

It looks to me like the Lion Fish went to the surface and turned upside down so that it could use the surface for protection. Theres alot of intelligence being displayed here on both parts. The Grouper was clearly analyzing the Lion Fish for any opening to attack. The Lion Fish used multiple different defensive stratiges , one to use the ground to protect its underside when that diddnt seem to deter the Grouper , it swam to the top and tried to use the surface. The Lion fish might have came to the conclusion that if it was close to the surface it might deter the Grouper because many fish wont swim that close to the surface but as shitty luck would have it. Hungry Grouper Gives no Lion Fucks.

I have worked with herd animals all my life(cows, sheep, horses, etc.). IMHO, that grouper herded the lion fish out and away from the reef to get it in the right position so he could go at it headfirst without any interference. Amazing behavior, he was so deliberate about it.

It's fascinating that both fish seem to understand the tactics of the other and they're both trying to capitalize on their strengths while exploiting their opponent's weaknesses. The lionfish knows to keep its barbs in the grouper's face and knows it's best strategy is in exploiting the grouper's slower turning radius. The groups knows how to maneuver the lionfish into a strategic location and position where it's most exposed, while avoiding the venomous barbs. The downside is that they both seem to be in a stalemate and it'll likely come down to who makes a mistake first or who tires out first. The grouper seems to be exerting the most energy, so it may tire out first. But the grouper only needs one opening, which means the lionfish can't err at all.

Grouper: Have you heard of Poseidon? Lionfish: Yes. *Turns around* Now, go away.

Lionfish: "You can't hurt me; I've got all these venomous spines!" Groop: "Yeah...whatever....Gulp!"

"Life, uh, finds a way."

The predators are learning how to deal with them.

Groupers are SO intelligent! Plus I love all those beeps from the divers' computers complaining about rising too fast.

Grouper: Ayy boy, you got some pretty fins. Lionfish: Sir, please stop following me or I'm going to call the sea police. Grouper: lmao. You're in my kitchen fuccboi.

I am so glad these nuance lion fish finally meet their match, they Eat all my favorite fish on the Reef , and the thing breed like Rabbits.

What a clever little fish, he was going round and round like aircraft dogfight.

You guys are worried about the grouper dying from lionfish venom. Don't be. Lionfish venom only works if it's injected - it can be eaten without hurting the eater because stomach acid destroys it. The grouper very carefully lines up the lionfish so the spines can't poke him before he eats it. Having said that, lionfish are not easy for groupers to eat (they have to be eaten head-first, and the lionfish knows to turn to the side when that's about to happen; the grouper knows better than to eat one who's turned to the side) so most groupers won't do it.

it's good to see a predator of the lion fish down in the Caribbean... something has to eat them and keel the population in check. heck they shouldn't even be there. I love fish but invasive species wreak havoc on the environment

Definitely feel the grouper is sizing it up. Plus, the lionfish knew full well what was about to happen. This needs to happen more and more to control that invasive species.

This is encouraging. If groupers take a liking to lion fish they look like simple enough snacks that no one will miss. Big groupers swallow spiny lobsters whole which are a lot harder and thornier than lionfish so if they're not bothered by the venom this will be interesting.

It’s kind of impressive how well the lion fish dances around to avoid getting its face bitten off, constantly has its back and spines reoriented to protect itself

The grouper was clearly trying to figure out when to make its move. It was looking for the right spot and opportunity.

That grouper definitely hearded that lionfish out into the open.

That lion fish was so beautiful, was in full defensive mode,,I did not think the grouped would annihilate the way it did in the end.

Go Go Grouper! Nice to see them doing it naturally.

2:30 me figuring out how to eat durian

That's gonna be one spiny shit tomorrow

He's like a professional fighter looking for an opening.

Not sure what specie of Grouper this is but it greatly resembles the Red Groupers I often catch in the north-eastern Gulf. By my experience with the several Grouper species caught over the years the Reds are by far the most aggressive, and if there's a food resource to be exploited they will usually find it. A fellow we used to fish with once dropped a camera while Red fishing to watch their behavior, their behavior was to stop with our bait and proceeded to try and eat the camera, fortunately none of them were very big and the camera was retrieved without any damage.

The grouper is clearly looking for the best way to bite it.

Lionfish to self: "I have no known natural predators, I have no known natural predators, I have no known natural predators, I have no known natural predators, I have no known natural predators"

To me it is quite obvious that a little of both was going on, but mostly it was the grouper dictating where/when the real attack would happen. At first the grouper just got the lionfish moving. Once he saw the pattern (likely more than I saw, keeping back to predator and not swimming in reverse), it was a matter of manipulating him off the floor to add angles. Notice the grouper stays mostly low until the lionfish elevated. Watch when the lionfish is going forward vs when the grouper is going forward. The lionfish did not want to leave the cover of at least one wall/floor. Also, notice when the grouper changes elevation up and down vs when the lionfish does it. Once it got in the open, it did for a short bit head towards the surface, possibly (not as sure of this) thinking of it as a surface to cut angles. Again, which creature is advancing in which directions at which times clearly shows the grouper controlling the positioning and options for the lionfish. The lionfish w/should have never left cover of the rocks near the bottom, with 2 sides protected, it would have been easy to defend itself there.

At first it seemed like this was one of those "Puppy dog loves baby" videos, then "BAM" the grouper ate the Lionfish.

This is a amazing discovery. Groupers and other predatory fish are learning how to hunt them with out getting harmed.

That for sure looks like a hunt by a predator to me. Interesting how it pushes the Lion fish almost all the way to the surface before it strikes. As if maybe it disorientates the Lion slightly... cool vid

the grouper and barracuda are both formidable predators who know how to keep the flock in check and clean up their yard.

Lionfish: "Fuck, he's not buying it!"

Amazing, the Lionfish knows it's only poison spines are on it's back. Just as amazing, the grouper knows that too!

Groupers are a serious predator. OMG! Awesome footage ..

2:27 "LOOK AT ME BI***! WHAT!.. YOU THINK, HEY! i'm talkin to you!

I just can't get enough. Keep the videos coming!

That grouper knew exactly what he was doing. That was fun to watch.

The grouper clearly understands that the only weak spot on the Lion Fish is its head. Very clever.

Looks about as comfortable as eating a christmas tree.

Lionfish univeristy, dam theres some smart ass lionfish.

Groupers seem like a fish you just generally don't want to fuck with

Grouper: Watch this humans. I'll show you how it's done...

Lionfish strategy: "I cant get eaten if I pretend he's not there."

dude! your dive computer was going mental!

Woo hood go Grouper 👍!

Wow..that grouper actually showed signs of real intelligence the way it maneuvered around the Lionfish..

Male Groop comes out at 1:27: "Relax, Sweetie, I'll handle this!"

That was awesome. Wow the implications are astounding. We need more vídeo .

The grouper wanted a head first attack and the lion fish knew this

Amazing footage!

Grouper fish be like, it comes to those who wait bro

that Grouper has learned how to hunt lionfish & worked it to a point where it could have lunch

Once the lionfish hit the surface, it was disoriented enough for the agile grouper to just attack from any angle

It's like a game of chess. Each one fighting for position in order to not be vulnerable to the opponent's attacks.

You can tell by the grouper's hesitation that this isn't the first time it's eaten a lionfish. That has gotta hurt.

It flushed the lionfish out of it's hiding place with a teammate haha nice

If two grouper worked together, it would be even quicker. Maybe they will catch on. Great video.

Lionfish: Don't mess with me! I have venomous spines! Grouper: You mean those french fries? B@tch please! Lionfish: Wait a minute! I'll...ARRRRRRGGG!

The dance of death ends swiftly.

Wonderful capture. Specially upside of water scene was beautiful.

interesting strategic battle between two species..happy to see lion fish have met their match!!

Grouper: “Um yummy....dessert.”

YAY GROUPER !! Almost looks as if he was afraid it was going to breach and fly away.

Looks like a very effective stun attack, the Lionfish immediately turns belly up, and the grouper just swung around and gulped it. Those spines didn't help for long.

You can tell the lion fish is trying not to let him take him headfirst. Barracuda just says screw it and eats it.

Grouper: Sir, excuse me sir! Do you have a moment to talk about our lord and savior Poseidon? Lionfish: No, go away Grouper: Say less

I wish the video included at least 30 seconds after the grouper had swallowed the lion fish. What did the grouper do immediately after his stinging bite full? Great video.

All that time for a lion fish. Ive never seen a grouper swim that far to the surface thats crazy

Look at how the lionfish is keeping his lethal spines toward the grouper, keeping his unprotected underside away from the grouper

The Groop had opportunity to munch that filthy varmint any time he wanted. Lionfish be like: "You're not the boss of me!" and the groop be like: "This better taste good 'cuz it sure looks like crap!"

I do agree on the grouper's ability to take the lionfish by the head. It has learnt it somehow. Amazing

Herded it upwards, knew the lionfish would eventually have to turn around to swim down. As soon as it turned, pow, grouper lunch. Pretty clever.

it shows why the lionfish are so invasive. The grouper took 3min of direct combat and roughly 20m of water depth to eat this one lionfish due to its poisoned barbs which it uses effectively.

Nice work, Groupy!

That other fish: Umm, excuse me, but, you’re in my house. Lion fish: Oh, right, sorry, man . . . * Makes for the surface * Grouper: * Following * Dun-dun-dun-dun . . .

That was awesome. That's one smart lionfish, keeping its back faced toward the Grouper the whole time. So once it strikes it gets a taste from its back spikes.

It’s ok, groupie, I couldn’t tell which end was front either at first.

And this is why the Nassau Grouper is a protected species.

DAMN VIDEO BOMBING DIVERS!!!! Beautiful video before the hams showed up. I bet the camera guy was pissed!!!

Both fish were on their game but the grouper proved to be smarter

Grouper set that up sweetly

I ended up here because I was searching for a video that I have seen where a huge grouper actually snacks the lionfish like it was nothing special.

The ban on grouper fishing and grouper population recoveries in many areas, are huge keys to controlling the invasive lionfish, especially in deeper waters where lionfish are known to survive, where divers don't go to as much, as well as in coral reefs. Here the grouper seems to be trying to get in front of the lionfish, to eat it head-first, but couldn't. The lionfish kept turning away in full defense mode, fins out, trying to make itself look too big. Finally the grouper hit it from the side, stunning the lionfish somewhat, before eating it from above.

Was the beeping an alarm for ascending too quickly?

Lion fish: Oh there's a hooman! Help Imma swim towards you! Human: Go grouper Go! Catch it!

Now imagine if these specialist groupers got into the natural environment of the invasive lionfish, and we'd have the same situation but backwards :P

Great video!

Note to self, make sure you keep your stingers lefty and righty facing your target.

That's one intelligent grouper.

The Lion fish swam up closer to the divers for help.... and yet divers were waiting and watching it to get eaten alive.....

That lionfish panicked, getting out in the open where it could be attacked from every angle was a bad move, or maybe it found god and was moving towards the light...

Wow I wish there were more footage !

"Bro I'm gonna eat you .... it ain't safe in these streets"

that lionfish knew it was in trouble - note how it tries and tries to keep it's poisonous dorsal fins towards the grouper. great to see the grouper win but I bet it has a sore mouth and/or belly