Image
This hāpuku (Polyprion oxygeneios), also known as groper, is seen through the window of the submersible Pisces V. This was on an expedition in 2005 to explore the seamounts in the Kermadec region, north of the North Island. This fish was photographed on the seamount known as Macauley Cone. Hāpuku are large fish that inhabit rugged, rocky areas. They prey on various fish, squid, crayfish and other large crustaceans. They have been heavily fished by recreational anglers and are rarely seen by divers at depths of less than 40 metres. A slow-growing species, they live over 60 years.