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Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER
Mycteroperca bonaci
Description: olive or gray body coloration with black blotches and brassy spots; gently rounded preopercle.
Similar Fish: gag
M. microlepis; yellowfin grouper,
M. venenosa.
Where found: OFFSHORE
species; adults associated with rocky bottoms, reef, and drop off 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.
*Florida Record: no Florida record because of identity confusion with gag, which are mistakenly called "black grouper."
Remarks: spawns
between May and August; protogynous hermaphrodites, young predominantly
female, transforming into males as they grow larger; larger individuals
generally in greater depths; feeds on fish and squid.
* The Florida records
quoted are from the Department of Environmental Protection's printed
publication, Fishing Lines and are not necessarily the most current
ones. The records are provided as only as a benchmark.
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