Fish ID

Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER

Description: head and fins covered with small black spots; irregular dark vertical bars present on the sides of body; pectoral and caudal fin rounded; first dorsal fin shorter than and not separated from second dorsal; adults huge, up to 800 pounds; eyes small.

Similar fish: other grouper.

Where found: NEARSHORE around docks, in deep holes, and on ledges; young often occur in estuaries, especially around oyster bars; more abundant in southern Florida than in northern waters.

Size: largest of the groupers.

Remarks: spawns over summer months; lifespan of 30 to 50 years; feeds on crustaceans and fish.

Florida record: 680 lbs.

NOTE: jewfish are totally protected from harvest in Florida waters.

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 9th, 2006 at 10:32 am and is filed under Fish ID. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
Log in Fish ID