GROUPER, BLACK

B, G -

GROUPER, BLACK

Scientific Name: 
Mycteroperca bonaci
Salt/Fresh: 
Salt
Also Known As: 
Black Grouper; Black Rockfish; Marbled Rockfish; GROUPER, BLACK; Abade Bonaci; Aguaji; Badeche Bonaci; Badejo-ferro; Badejo-preto; Badejo-quadrado; Bonaci; Bonaci Arrara; Bonaci Gato; Bonaci-havaborre; Bonaci Arara; Cerigado-preto; Cherna; Cuna; Cuna Bonaci; Cuna Guarei; Djampau; Guajil; Mero; Mero Pinto; Merou; Perka Marmurkowa; Quadradinho; Schwarzer Zackenbarsch; Serigado; Serigado-preto; Sirigado; Svart Grouper
Rating: 
Countries: 
Other Countries
United States
Description: 

The Black Grouper is one of the best known of the large group of perciform fish called groupers. Other fish are sometimes called the black grouper including the similar Gag Grouper, the Misty Grouper, and the critically endangered Warsaw Grouper. The Black Grouper is quite tasty and an important food fish. It is fished for sale and for sport.

How To Identify: 

The Black Grouper is a large hearty fish with a protruding lower jaw. It has an oblonged body shape and rounded margins on both the dorsal and anal fins. The caudal fin is squared-off, and the dorsal fin has 11 spines and 15-17 rays. The preopercule is rounded without the presence of a notch, which distinguishes it from the Gag Grouper. The Black Grouper has olive or gray body coloration along with dark rectangular blotches and small hexagonal bronze spots on its head and lower side. The borders of the soft dorsal, anal, and caudal fin is black or bluish; sometime there is an orangish edge along the pectoral fins.

How To Catch: 

One key, besides a huge helping of luck is to hook the fish while drifting, instead of at anchor. The drift of the boat adds to the power of the tackle and just might help drag the big fish far enough away from his rocky “hole” that he cannot get back. For drifting or still fishing, the best baits are frisky live fish, such as Blue Runners or other small jacks. Pinfish and Pilchards are good too, as are Mullet heads and other large cut baits. Best casting lures are leadhead jigs, weighing from 1-4 ounces, depending on depth. Trolling over the reefs with rigged, swimming Mullet, feather-and- strip combos, and large plugs also takes many.

Where Found: 

International

It is associated with rocky or coral reefs, but is not dependent on them; it is found in the western Atlantic Ocean, from Massachusetts, USA, in the north to southern Brazil, but is particularly associated with the southern Gulf of Mexico, the Florida Keys, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Adults are not found at the northern extremes of its range. It lives mostly near the surface, at depths ranging from six to 33 meters.

Quick Index

Back to Fish Wiki