Credit: Illustration by Diane Rome Peebles

Family Serranidae

Description: color highly greenish olive or bright red with longitudinal rows or darker black blotches over entire fish; outer one-third of pectoral fins bright yellow; lower parts of larger fish with small bright red spots

Similar fish: black grouper, M. bonaci; other grouper

Where found: offshore on reefs off southern portions of Florida

Size: common to 20 pounds

Remarks: undergoes sex change from female to male in latter part of life; specific name translated to "venomous," alluding to the fact that this fish, perhaps more frequently than other grouper, is associated with ciguatera poisoning; feeds on fish and squid

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