What is the difference between gag and black grouper

Live fish or dead cut or whole bait are used. Grouper are very tasty meals. Recreational Regulations. Skip to main content. Report Issues Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc. Go Outdoors Florida! Gag Grouper Mycteroperca microlepis. The caudal fin of the gag grouper has white margins on the anal and caudal fins while the black does not. Dentition There are two well-developed canine teeth present anteriorly in each jaw. These are quite effective for holding prey items.

Size, Age, and Growth Gag grouper reach a maximum total length of 4. Males reach maturity at approximately 8 years of age and a correlating total length of 39 inches 98 cm while females mature at years of age and inches cm total length. This species is believed to have a lifespan of 16 years. Food Habits Adult gag grouper primarily feed on fishes, crabs, shrimps, and cephalopods while juveniles measuring less than 8 inches 20 cm in length feed on crustaceans residing in shallow grass beds.

Reproduction Similar to other serranids, gag grouper are protogynous hermaphrodites. They begin life as female, however after a few years of spawning as a female, some gag groupers change sex, becoming functional males. This transition generally occurs at years of age corresponding to lengths of inches cm.

Predators Juvenile gag grouper may fall prey to cannibalism as well as to large fishes. Sharks and other large fishes are known predators of adult gag grouper. Parasites Nematodes, including Porrocaecum sp. Another reported parasite of this grouper is the isopod, Exocorallana tricornis. This grouper was first described as Trisotropis microlepis by Goode and Bean in However, this name was later changed by taxonomists to the currently valid Mycteroperca microlepis Goode and Bean, Discover Fishes Mycteroperca microlepis.

Gag Grouper Gag Grouper. Photo courtesy NOAA Mycteroperca microlepis This oblong fish has small eyes over a pointed snout, and a continuous dorsal fin to a square caudal fin. Order: Perciformes Family: Serranidae Genus: Mycteroperca Species: microlepis Common Names English language common names include gag grouper, charcoal belly, gag, gag-velvet rockfish and velvet rockfish.

Importance to Humans Gag grouper caught by a recreational fisherman Gulf coast of Florida. Danger to Humans There have been reported cases of ciguatera from human consumption of gag grouper.

Conservation Gag grouper in deep water. Photo courtesy NOAA Ranked among the most valuable fisheries in the southeastern US, the gag grouper is sought after both recreationally and commercially. Habitat Residing in brackish to marine waters, the gag grouper is found offshore on rocky bottom as well as inshore on rocky or grassy bottoms to depths of feet m.

Biology Gag grouper. Illustration courtesy FAO Distinctive Features The gag grouper is typical among the groupers with an oblong-shaped elongate body. Juvenile gag grouper. Gag Grouper Gag grouper are gray or brownish gray in color with dark, wavy worm-like markings on their sides. The edges of their fins are dark or bluish with a slightly concave or flat caudal tail fin. For more detailed information click HERE.

Black Grouper Black grouper have olive or dark gray body coloration with black box-like blotches and brassy spots. They are similar in appearance to the Gag, and have a gently rounded head with a slightly concave or flat caudal tail fin. Their fins are blackish with the edges black as well. Goliath Grouper Goliath grouper is by far the largest of the groupers. They have numerous marks that distinguish them from the other grouper.