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

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.

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 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.

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

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.

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.

"Life, uh, finds a way."

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

The predators are learning how to deal with them.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

That grouper definitely hearded that lionfish out into the open.

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

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

2:30 me figuring out how to eat durian

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.

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.

That's gonna be one spiny shit tomorrow

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

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

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"

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Actually, I've been told that divers train groupers to eat lionfish. They give them samples, and the groupers follow the divers. Eventually, the groupers become self-directed. In Cozumel lionfish have become rare in the upper waters. Rumor has it they stay low now during the day.

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

Lionfish univeristy, dam theres some smart ass lionfish.

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

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

Fish that swallow other fish whole, only swallow them head first. So the grouper was trying to line up to grab the head, and the lionfish keep turning to keep it's head away from the groupers' line of sight. Predators like the grouper might grab or hit a fish side on, but just so they get a chance to grab the head. Which is how he got the lionfish in the end, with a quick knock to mess up its routine for a split second so he could grab the head.

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

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...

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

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

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

Looks about as comfortable as eating a christmas tree.

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

0:01 This video is the sole property of Lionfish University. The camera, our office, computers and everything else that we use are rented. Sincerely Not Ours, Rented Keyboard

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

The Grouper was basically a mongoose and the lion fish a Cobra. Both Grouper and mongoose have to choose the angle of their attacks carefully.

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

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

Feeding lionfish to predators might cause aggressive predator behaviour at that moment, but it might also cause predators to begin hunting lionfish. However, this should only be done by divers sufficiently skilled at it.

Listen closely. The grouper is Darth Vadar, and it used the Dark Side to force the Lionfish to an open space.

I hate how he keeps trying to silence the bubbles as if they are gonna listen to all his shushing.

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

Predation on lionfish SHOULD be encouraged. If you don't understand why, there's no need to comment.

I'm 100% certain that grouper herded that lion fish into the open so it would be easier to get at its head. Now all the groupers need to do is learn to hunt them in packs. 😊

You can hear the grouper stun the lionfish with that amazing mouth, twice. Then it gets time to manoeuvre around it. What surprises me is, the grouper seems to suck the lionfish in tail first. It seems to know what it's doing though.

Woo hood go Grouper 👍!

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.

So, y'all just going to ignore the fact that the other Grouper's "Wingman" helped "homie" out. Not only did he keep the lionfish from darting away he left "Homie" to finish the meal by himself.........

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

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!

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.

That Grouper is gonna take the nastiest shit in the world when that Lionfish is digested.

Amazing footage!

The Grouper obviously knows he has to take the lionfish head first, but so does the lion fish. I thought at the beginning when the other grouper appeared we might see some team work, but maybe that will come later.

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!"

Grouper risks open water attack from corraling the lion to surface. In the same sense it was the only safe way to find the chink in armor. I bet someone showed it how to do it(human). They are delicious to eat and thats all the grouper needed to know!! Good boy

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

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

The dance of death ends swiftly.

I think fish are smarter than we give them credit for.

I conclude 2 things: (1) lionfish has natural predators, (2) grouper is tolerant to lionfish sting.....

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

I'm glad to see native predators are finally fighting back.

It looked like the grouper is trying to hit this lion fish head on so the spins don't get him or her. But after awhile it just hits it stuns it and gobble.

Grouper is so intelligent, uses his hard mouth to stun LFish then chomped him BIGTIME! GROUPER RULES.

Groupers are very intelligent, even when you are hook them in your line by accident... groupers know very well to dive way down to the nearest rocks in order to break you fishing line and release them selves... they are very intelligent.

I'm no expert but it most certainly looks like the grouper is using strategy and herding that lionfish out into the open.

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

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

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

That's one intelligent grouper.

Exposure was terrible at the crucial point but looks like the Lionfish was tired when the Grouper hit.