Hello Everyone!
As many of you have noted in our live video conferences, the Nassau Grouper on the spawning aggregation have a variety of color phases. Nassau’s are actually able to change their color quickly, often times to communicate with each other. Below is a photo showing these different color phases. Take a look. What other animals use color to communicate?
Color Phases!
Is there a specific reason why the grouper will become really dark, or is that just a genetics decision?
Hi Anya,
The grouper change their color primarily for communication, but also for camouflage.
Is there a reason that the Nassau Grouper can change their colors so quicky?
That’s a great question, Namratha. They are able to manipulate their chromatophres, which are cells that contain pigment, which allow them to change quickly to communicate or camouflage. Cool, right?!