Grouper Gallery

Adult groupers, members of one of the largest families of fishes found in Florida waters, run the gamut of sizes and shapes, from the diminutive graysby weighing several pounds, to the mammoth goliath that can top the scales at 600 pounds or more.

::click for gallery photos::

Red Grouper (Epinephelus morio) Red grouper is a brownish-red fish with scattered pale blotches, black dots around the eyes, and dark-tipped dorsal, anal, and tail fins. The membrane between the dorsal spines is not notched, and the tail fin is squared off. Red grouper is the most thoroughly studied of the Florida groupers, and much of what scientists know about groupers is based on research on red grouper. They may grow to 3 feet in length and average 10 pounds, though some reach a hefty 40 pounds.

::click for gallery photos::

Warsaw Grouper (Epinephelus nigritus) A uniform brown in color, the Warsaw grouper has no spots or stripes to make it stand out from the crowd. It is, however, distinguished by its impressive bulk and by a dorsal fin with a very long second spine. The Warsaw grouper may reach 6 feet in length and weigh 580 pounds.

::click for gallery photos::

Nassau Grouper (Epinephelus striatus) This species has five irregular brown or red-brown side bands on a light background. A wide, brown stripe runs on each side of the head from the upper snout to the forward base of the dorsal fin. There is a broad, black patch that rests like a saddle on top of the narrow part of the tail. Nassau groupers may grow to a length of 3 feet and weigh 55 pounds. All harvest of this species is prohibited in Florida waters.

::click for gallery photos::

Black Grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci) Although similar in appearance to the gag, the black grouper has a more vivid color pattern that may include brassy, bronze spots on the side of the head and body and, sometimes, dark, rectangular blotches running the length of the back. Its fins are bordered in black. Black grouper may reach 4 feet and 180 pounds.

::click for gallery photos::

Gag Grouper (Mycteroperca microlepis) The brownish-gray body of the gag is covered with thin, dark, wormlike markings often grouped in blotches that give the fish a marbled look. Its pelvic, anal, and tail fins are dark; the anal and tail fins have a white outer margin. Although it may reach 3 feet and 70 pounds, most are much smaller. The gag is often erroneously identified as a black grouper.

::click for gallery photos::

Scamp (Mycteroperca phenax) The light gray or brown body of the scamp is covered with reddish-brown spots that tend to be grouped into lines. The corners of the mouth may be yellow. The top and bottom edges of the tail of large adults are elongated. Scamp may grow to 2 feet in length and weigh up to 30 pounds.

::click for gallery photos::

Yellowfin Grouper (Mycteroperca venenosa) The yellowfin derives its scientific moniker, venenosa, from the toxicity of the flesh of some large specimens in areas where ciguatera poisoning occurs when humans eat toxic fish. Also called the rockfish, the yellowfin is variably colored, commonly olive-green with rows of rounded, irregular, dark splotches on its back. Its belly is often salmon pink, and its mouth is yellow inside and along the corners. The outer 1/3 of the pectoral fin is a brilliant yellow. Yellowfin taken from waters deeper than 100 feet are often bright red with even darker red body blotches. Yellowfin may grow to 30 inches and about 20 pounds.

::click for gallery photos::