Groupers and Hinds belong to the taxonomic family Epinephelidae. They are ambush predators, waiting in and around coral reefs to surprise their prey with their large mouths and round muscular bodies that are built for short bursts of speed. These fishes are also colourfully patterned to help them to camouflage and ambush prey more effectively. 

Groupers are protogynous hermaphrodites, changing from female to male as they mature.