RED GROUPER – Epinephelus morio
Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER
Description: color brownish red; lining of mouth scarletorange; blotches on sides in unorganized pattern; second spine of dorsal fin longer than others; pectoral fins longer than pelvic fins; squaredoff 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 F; undergoes sex change, young individuals female, becoming male as they age, lifespan of at least 25 years; feeds on squid, crustaceans, and fish.
- SAILFISH – Istiophorus platypterus
- WHITE MARLIN – Tetrapterus albidus
- BLUE MARLIN – Makaira nigricans
- LONGBILL SPEARFISH – Tetrapturus pfluegeri
- SWORDFISH – Xiphias gladius
- DOLPHIN – Coryphaena hippurus
- BLACKFIN TUNA – Thunnus atlanticus
- YELLOWFIN TUNA – Thunnus albacares
- LITTLE TUNNY – Euthynnus alletteratus
- WAHOO – Acanthocybium solanderi
- SPANISH MACKEREL – Scomberomorus maculatus
- CERO (cero mackerel) – Scomberomorus regalis
- KING MACKEREL – Scomberomorus cavalla
- GREAT BARRACUDA – Sphyraena barracuda
- BAY ANCHOVY – Anchoa mitchilli
- STRIPED ANCHOVY – Anchoa hepsetus
- STRIPED MOJARRA – Diapterus plumieri
- STRIPED (BLACK) MULLET – Mugil cephalus
- FANTAIL MULLET – Mugil gyrans
- ATLANTIC SPADEFISH – Chaetodipterus faber
- GAFFTOPSAIL CATFISH – Bagre marinus
- HARDHEAD CATFISH – Arius felis
- GULF FLOUNDER – Paralichthys albigutta
- SPOT – Leiostomus xanthurus