FISH ID  >> GROUPERS

Groupers and Grouper-Like Fishes

Warsaw Grouper
(Grouper, Warsaw, Black, Jewfish)

Body deep and robust, light brown below. Spines on gill cover, 10 dorsal spines, second longer than others. Caudal fin almost square.

Average 20- 40 pounds

Jewfish (Jew, Round Grouper, Spotted Jewfish)
Body very deep, mouth very large. Dark tannish black above, creamy below, usually with small brown to black spots on back. Sometimes white spots, especially in older specimens. Eleven dorsal spines. First dorsal shorter than second, caudal fin round.
Average 60-100 pounds

Yellowfin Grouper (Red Grouper, True Yellowfin)

Body deep, body color ranges from red to olive-brown. Normally has dark blotches dorsally, outer third of pectoral fin yellow (sometimes rear of pelvicand dorsal fins also yellow). Fins edged in black. 
Average 5-10 pounds

Yellowfin Grouper
(Fire Back)

RED COLOR PHASE

Usually found in deeper water.

Yellowwedge Grouper (Grouper)

Body deep, dark brown above to light brown below. Iris of eye and edges of pectoral, dorsal and anal fins yellow. Round white spots on body, dark blotch sometimes on dorsal surface of caudal peduncle.

Average 5-10 pounds

Gag (Grouper, Black Grouper, Copper Belly)

Body more elongate, dark gray over pearl color, worm-like blotches dorsally, especially on head. Bony lobe on bottom rear corner of preopercle. Edges of dorsal, anal, and caudal fins whitish. 
Average 2-5 pounds

Yellowmouth Grouper (Grouper, Carborita)

Body deep, light brown to purplish above to creamy brown below, usually 6 to 8 vertical bars. Inside and corners of mouth yellow. Caudal fin with numerous lobes tipped in yellow. 
Average 5-10 pounds

Scamp (Grouper)

Body more elongate, brownish to dark gray. Darker blotches give lined appearance. Tail has ragged appearance in adults. Prominent spiny knob on bottom rear corner of gill cover.

Average 5-10 pounds

Snowy Grouper (Snowy, Browny)

Body deep, dark brownish gray above, creamy below. Eleven dorsal spines. Small white spots above, fading with age, black splotch on body dorsally near caudal fin. Rear nostril much larger than front. Pelvac bases slightly ahead of the ventral basse of the pectorals. 
                                                    Average 5-10 pounds

Marbled Grouper
(Slopehead, John Paw)

Body very deep, forehead sloped sharply. Dark brownish black with large white blotches. White line through eye. Anal fin long and pointed.

Average 5-10 pounds

Red Hind (Strawberry Grouper)

Body deep, reddish brown spots over creamy background, spots same size over body. Second dorsal, anal and caudal fins edged in black. Caudal fin rounded.

Average 1 pound

Speckled Hind
(Spotted Grouper, Calico Grouper, Kitty Mitchell)

Body deep and rounded, creamy spots over tan to brown background. Caudal fin square. Pelvic fin blackish toward tip. Anal fin soft rays about nine (fewer than other groupers). Body has roough feel. 
                                                     Average 2-5 pounds

Rock Hind (Calico Grouper)

Body deep, reddish brown spots over olive
background, spots larger below. Usually 5 dark blotches along base of dorsal fin. Caudal fin rounded. Third dorsal spine longest.

Average 1-2 pounds

Black Driftfish (Barrell Grouper)

Body deep, somewhat rounded. Uniformly dark brown, conspicuous lateral line, head rounded, snout short, lobe on upper rear edge of gill cover. Pectoral fin long and pointed. Caudal fin slightly lunate, edged in black. Often confused with grouper.
Average 2-5 pounds

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