1. Fish: Black grouper primarily target small fish such as sardines, anchovies, herrings, and mackerels. They may also prey on larger fish, such as snappers, grunts, and other groupers.
2. Crustaceans: Black grouper are also known to feed on crustaceans like shrimps, crabs, and lobsters. They use their strong jaws to crack open the hard shells of these prey items and consume the soft meat inside.
3. Mollusks: Black grouper sometimes eat mollusks such as squid, octopus, and cuttlefish. They may also feed on bivalves like clams, mussels, and oysters, using their powerful jaws to pry open their shells.
4. Invertebrates: Black grouper can consume a variety of invertebrates, including sea urchins, starfish, and worms. These invertebrates are often found in the rocky habitats where black grouper reside.
Black grouper are opportunistic feeders and will take advantage of any available food source. They may also exhibit territorial behavior and defend their hunting grounds from other predators. Their feeding behavior can vary depending on the specific location, time of day, and availability of prey species.