This is the moment fishermen reel in a colossal wild grouper weighing an impressive 16 stone, astonishing spectators.

The extraordinary catch drew a crowd of onlookers eager to marvel at the massive fish in Liaoning, China, on December 21.

Weighing an astounding 225 lbs (102 kg), the grouper left witnesses stunned, with many admitting they had never seen a fish of such size.

The lucky anglers sold it for around GBP 7 per lb, netting more than CNY 13,000 (GBP 1,421) for their prized catch.

Groupers, affectionately nicknamed 'big fish,' are celebrated for their distinctive oval-shaped bodies and vibrant colours, often featuring stripes and dots in shades of brown and red.

The remarkable marine creatures thrive in warm waters and are known for their fascinating hermaphroditic nature - beginning life as females before transitioning to males upon maturity.

Boasting a staggering 163 species, including varieties like the tiger grouper and leopard grouper, these fish are prized for their size and incredible diversity.

Specimens of such immense proportions remain rare, continuing to captivate fishermen and seafood enthusiasts worldwide.

Groupers are a popular game fish sold alive at food markets and known for its low-fat, high-protein meat.

(1 CNY = 0.11 GBP)