Predatory Fish

Moray eels may look fearsome but they are not actually considered dangerous to humans. These slippery creatures have no scales so their body is slippery smooth. This helps them slide into places to hide and surprise their prey!

Our 1.6 metre Queensland groper - Beau - arrived here in Spring 2013 in no less than 2.5 thousand litres of water, complete with a forklift to assist the move! Growing up to 3 metres in length and comparable in size to some of the largest sharks and rays on display at our aquarium, the Queensland groper is also commonly referred to as the Queensland grouper, Giant grouper and Brown Spotted cod. This mighty predator fish has a powerful sucking mouth to pull in prey, which includes fish, octopus, crustaceans and even juvenile turtles!

The Black cod, or Saddletail grouper, native to the south-east coast of Australia and New Zealand has been recorded to reach sizes of up to 1.5 metres in length. These predator fish can usually be found inhabiting rocky shores or coastal reefs and feed mainly on crustaceans and fish. Due to their near-threatened status, the Black cod has been protected in NSW waters since 1984.

The Golden trevally is a predator fish that can be found in the tropical and sub-tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region and can be easily distinguished from similar species by its uniquely golden yellow pigments and black bands. Juveniles have been observed swimming in schools following large ‘pilot’ fish such as groupers and sharks. They can reach sizes of up to 1.2 metres in length and prey on molluscs, small fish and crustaceans.