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Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER
Epinephelus morio
Description: color
brownish red; lining of mouth scarlet-orange; blotches on sides in
unorganized pattern; second spine of dorsal fin longer than others;
pectoral fins longer than pelvic fins; squared off 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; fish from 1 to 6 years occupy
NEARSHORE reefs.
Size: common to 15 pounds.
*Florida Record: 39 lbs., 8 ozs.
Remarks: spawns in
April and May; prefer water temperatures between 66 and 77 degrees F;
undergoes sex reversal, young individual females becoming males as they
age; lifespan of at least 25 years; feeds on squid, crustaceans, and
fish.
* 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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