Family SEA BASSES and GROUPER

Olive or gray body coloration with balck blotches and brassy spots; gentle rounded preopercie; Similar fish: Gag, M. Microlepis, Yellow Fin Grouper, M. Venenosa.

Similar fish: N/A

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.

Florida record: N/A