Unveiling the first steps of juvenile Atlantic goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara (Perciformes: Epinephelidae) in a tropical estuary at the southwestern Atlantic coast

The Atlantic goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara is the largest grouper in the Atlantic Ocean, currently classified as vulnerable by IUCN red list. The present study aimed to assess the occurrence of juvenile Atlantic goliath grouper in a tropical estuary on the southeastern Brazilian coast. The sample collections were performed from April to November 2015 and from March 2018 to October 2019. A total of 265 juveniles ranging from 5.4–50.5 cm were sampled, from which 148 individuals were tagged using pit tags. Seventeen (11.5%) of the total tagged individuals were recaptured at least once over time, with two specimens recaptured on two different occasions. Some recaptures occurred in less than a week, while others occurred after six months. The length–weight-relationship of all juveniles resulted in a negative allometric growth pattern. These findings suggest that the estuary represents a suitable and important habitat for juvenile Atlantic goliath grouper.