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Field guide to marine inhabitants - Fishes
Photo Courtesy of Chad
Macfie
Red Grouper
Prepared by:
Jessica Tokarz |
Epinephelus
morio |
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Range: The Red Grouper ranges from New England south through Bermuda, Florida,
the Gulf of Mexico, the Bahamas and the Caribbean, to
southeastern Brazil. Populations of this species
occurring north of the Carolinas are believed to be
due to larval transport in the Gulf Stream rather than
from immigration of adults. Adult Red Groupers inhabit
offshore hardbottom habitats at depths of 16.5 to
984ft (5 to 300m), while juveniles seek refuge in
shallow reef areas and seagrasses near shore.
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Similar Species: When
resting, the Red Grouper’s coloration becomes more
banded in appearance, resembling the Nassau Grouper (Epinephelus
striatus). However, the Red Grouper can be easily
distinguished from Nassau Grouper by the absence of a
black saddle. (Note: See Nassau Grouper Identification
Page).
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Identification: The Red
Grouper exhibits a deep brownish-red coloration with small black dots on the
operculum and occasional white spots on its sides. Their dorsal fin is
comprised of a sloped, straight line of spines interconnected by a thin
membrane. The anal, dorsal, and caudal fins have dark margins.
Note:
Like
most groupers, the Red Grouper is a protogynous
hermaphrodite, occurring as a female during the first
part of life and transforming to a male later on.
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