The Nassau grouper is a large, solitary fish, found in and near the coral reefs of the western Atlantic Ocean, from Bermuda to southern Brazil. They are known for their spawning behavior, gathering in huge numbers under the light of the full December and January moon, when they cluster together to mate. They are slow breeders, can grow to over a meter in length and are less shy than some species, making them very vulnerable to fishing and environmental pressures. Spawning and nursing grounds have been lost to development and they have been severely overfished, which has led to their endangered status on the IUCN Red List. Conservation efforts are being made to bring back a sustainable population, and fishing for this species has been banned altogether in some areas and seasons.