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Black Grouper Fishing Information
source: myfwc.com
illustrations: Diane Rome Peebles
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; 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.
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