Grouper adopts cichlid feeding tactics

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A species of marine grouper living in shallow waters off the Brazilian coast has been observered using feeding tactics similar to the Malawian haplochromine cichlid Nimbochromis livingstoni.

The Comb grouper, Mycteroperca acutirostris, uses hunting behaviour which involves feigning illness or death in order to catch its prey. This hasn't been observed in the species before and is believed to be a modification of stalking behaviour.

Gibran, FZ (2004) - Dying or illness feigning: an unreported feeding tactic of the Comb grouper, Mycteroperca acutirostris (Serranidae) from the Southwest Atlantic. Copeia, 2004. Vol. 2., pp. 403-405.