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

The Atlantic goliath grouper <i>Epinephelus itajara</i> 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.