Whether they are large or small, groupers are fish with robust bodies and huge mouths. This subfamily is then subdivided into five tribes, 32 genera and 159 species, though some biologists believe there are as many as 234 species of grouper. Groupers also belong to a subfamily called Epinephelinae. The word is derived from the modern Latin word for “saw” or “sawfish” even though the sawfish is a type of shark and not related to the grouper. Groupers belong to the Serranidae family of fishes. Grouper Classification and Scientific name Groupers have a few teeth, but they mostly use crushing bony plates inside their pharynx to eat.They are one of the few animals that eat red lionfish, which are both venomous and invasive.
The smallest, the Coney, grows to about a foot and weighs about a pound.
Here are some facts about this very diverse group of fish: The good news is that more and more countries are striving to conserve these amazing animals. Their meat also tastes delicious, which has become problematic as too many species are now overfished. Groupers are fish with stout bodies and huge mouths that let them suck in their prey at a distance and gulp it down whole. Out of all the groupers, the gag grouper are caught commercially as a table fish.“Grouper is some of the biggest bony fish in the sea.” The grouper is a lean and moist fish that has a mild flavor, and the flesh is firm and flaky. The snowy grouper is called that because it inhabits deeper waters than other grouper types (350 to 600 feet). Why is the snowy grouper called a deep drop fish? The Nassau grouper is on the conservation list. The warsaw grouper is critically endangered out of all of the groupers because of overfishing or bycatch release. Frequently Asked Questions Why is the warsaw grouper endangered? Bridled bait will set in nicely in the mouth of a giant grouper.Īlways check your local grouper regulations.
#Grouper fish full#
Take a selection of these with you so that you can give the fish a full menu. This tackle will come in handy when the panicking grouper fish tries to swim under a ledge to break the line.įor live bait, use pinfish, grunts, blue runner, sardines, and mullet. If you are using spinning tackle, make sure that the reel is heavy enough to withstand an 80 to 100-pound test mainline and a low gear ratio to give you more control. You will need heavy tackle, especially if there are a lot of rocks under the water where you are fishing, and a braided line that can withstand the powerful pull of a caught grouper. If you are casting in the shallows, use jerk bait and retrieve it erratically to lure the fish out in the open. Irrespective of the types of grouper you wish to target, you can catch large ones with lures, live, and dead bait. Spawning season – This fish spawns in August, September, and sometimes October.įood – Eats crustaceans, other fish, sharks, barracudas, octopus, and even young sea turtles. Habitat – Can be found in shallow tropical waters among artificial and coral reefs 15 to 164 feet underwater.
Size and age – As the biggest grouper, the goliath can grow 8 feet long and can weigh as much as 790 pounds. Identification – This giant grouper is large, thick, and elongated, has a round snout and small eyes, and a fan-like tailfin.ĭistribution – Can be found in the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, and most of the Caribbean.
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