Credit: Illustration by Diane Rome Peebles
Family Serranidae
Description: color brownish red; lining of mouth scarlet-orange; blotches
on sides in unorganized pattern; second spine of dorsal fin longer than others;
pectoral fins longer than pelvic fins; squared-off tail; margin of soft dorsal
black with white at midfin; black dots around the eyes
Similar
fish: nassau grouper, E. striatus
Where found: bottom
dwelling fish associated with hard bottom; juveniles offshore along with adults
greater than 6 years old; nearshore reefs
Size: common to 15
pounds
Remarks: spawns in April and May; prefer water temperatures
between 66 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit; undergoes sex change, young indifiduals
female, becoming male as they age, lifespan of at least 25 years; feeds on
squid, crustaceans, and fish
Save and Share this Article:
|
