BLACK GROUPER – Mycteroperca bonaci
Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER
Description: olive or gray body coloration with black blotches and brassy spots; gently rounded preopercle; (see gag, next page) 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; they 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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