Credit: Illustration by Diane Rome Peebles
Family Serranidae
Description: olive or gray body coloration with black blotches and brassy spots; gently rounded preopercle
Similar fish: gag, M. microlepis; yellowfin grouper, M. venenosa
Where found: offshore species; adults associated with rocky bottoms, reefs, and dropoff walls in water over 60 feet deep; young may occur inshore in shallow water
Size: common to 40 pounds, may attain weights exceeding 100 pounds; no Florida record because of identity confusion with gag, which are mistakenly called "black grouper"
Remarks: spawns between May and August; protogynous hermaphrodites, young predominately female, transforming into males as they grow larger; larger individuals generally in greater depths; feeds on fish and squid
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