NOAA Technical Report NMFS 118

Pictorial Guide to the Groupers

(Teleostei: Serranidae)

of the Western North Atlantic

Mark Grace

Kevin R. Rademacher

Mike Russell

U.S. Department of Commerce

May 1994
u.s. DepartJnent

of Conunerce

Ronald H. Brown

Secretary

National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration

D.James Baker

Under Secretary for Oceans and

Atmosphere

National Marine

Fisheries Service

Rolland A. Schmitten

Assistant Administrator for

Fisheries

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Technical Reports of the Fishery Bulletin

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NOAA Technical Report NMFS 118

A Technical Report of the Fishery Bulletin

Pictorial Guide to the Groupers

(Teleostei: Serranidae)

of the Western North Atlantic

Mark Grace

Kevin R. Rademacher

Mike Russell

Illustrations by Mark Grace

May 1994

U.S. Department of Commerce

Seattle, Washington

iv

Introduction .

Methods .

General description of groupers .

Using the guide .

Discussion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Contents

1

2

3

3

3

Guide to the groupers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4

Identification features (Table 1) 4

Morphological features (Fig. 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5

Separation sheets (Figs. 2-11) 5

Species accounts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 11

Mutton hamlet, Alphestes afer (Fig. 12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 11

Graysby, Cephalopholis cruentata (Figs. 13-15) 12

Coney, Cephalopholisfulva (Figs. 16-18) 14

Marbled grouper, Dermatolepis inermis (Figs. 19-22) 16

Rock hind, Epinephelus adscensionis (Figs. 23 and 24) 18

Speckled hind, Epinephelus drummondhayi (Figs. 25 and 26) 19

Yellowedge grouper, Epinephelus Jlavolimbatus (Figs. 27 and 28) 20

Red hind, Epinephelus guttatus (Fig. 29) 21

Jewfish, Epinephelus itajara (Fig. 30) 22

Dusky grouper, Epinephelus marginatus (Fig. 31) 23

Red grouper, Epinephelus morio (Figs. 32-38) 24

Misty grouper, Epinephelus mystacinus (Figs. 39 and 40) 27

Warsaw grouper, Epinephelus nigritus (Figs. 41 and 42) 28

Snowy grouper, Epinephelus niveatus (Figs. 43 and 44) 29

Nassau grouper, Epinephelus striatus (Figs. 45-47) 30

Spanish flag, Gonioplectrus hispanus (Fig. 48) 32

Comb grouper, Mycteroperca acutirostris (Fig. 49) 33

Black grouper, Mycteroperca bonaci (Fig. 50) 34

White grouper, Mycteroperca cidi (Fig. 51) 35

Yellowmouth grouper, Mycteroperca interstitialis (Figs. 52-56) 36

Gag, Mycteroperca microlepis (Figs. 57 and 58) 38

Scamp, Mycteroperca phenax (Figs. 59-62) 39

Tiger grouper, Mycteroperca tigris (Figs. 63-66) 41

Yellowfin grouper, Mycteroperca venenosa (Figs. 67 and 68) 43

Creole-fish, Paranthias furcifer (Figs. 69 and 70) 44

Meristic values (Table 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 45

Acknowledgments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 46

Literature cited. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 46

Pictorial Guide to the Groupers (Teleostei: Serranidae)

of the Western North Atlantic!

MARK GRACE, KEVIN R. RADEMACHER, and MIKE RUSSELL

Southeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA/NMFS

Mississippi Laboratories

P. O. Drawer 1207

Pascagoula, Mississippi 39568-1207

ABSTRACT

This guide was developed to assist with the identification of western North Atlantic

grouper species of the genera Alphestes, Cephalopholis, Dermatolepis, Epinephelus,

Gonioplectrus, Mycteroperca, and Paranthias. The primary purpose for assembling the

guide is for use with projects that deploy underwater video camera systems. The most

vital source of information used to develop the guide was an archive of underwater

video footage recorded during fishery projects. These video tapes contain 348 hours of

survey activity and are maintained at the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS),

Pascagoula, Mississippi. This footage spans several years (1980-92) and was recorded

under a wide variety of conditions depicting diverse habitats from areas of the western

North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. Published references were

used as sources of information for those species not recorded on video footage during

NMFS projects. These references were also used to augment information collected from

video footage to provide broader and more complete descriptions. The pictorial guide

presents information for all 25 grouper species reported to occur in the western North

Atlantic. Species accounts provide descriptive text and illustrations depicting documented

phases for the various groupers. In addition, species separation sheets based on important

identification features were constructed to further assist with species identification. A

meristic table provides information for specimens captured in conjunction with videoassisted fishery surveys. A computerized version enables guide users to amend, revise,

update, or customize the guide as new observations and information become available.

Introduction

An importan t survey technique uses underwater video

camera systems to assess populations, species complexes, and behavior. During these underwater surveys of fishes in their natural habitat, groupers frequently exhibit behavior and body pattern phases

that are not normally observed. In addition, because

specimens cannot be physically handled (except when

captured), standard identification methods that rely

on physical examination are generally not feasible.

Groupers may be difficult to identify from live and

videotaped underwater footage because several morphological features (Fig. 1) and body pattern phases

vary because of ontogeny, behavior, or habitat. Documenting these features and phases is essential to accurately and consistently identify species from video

footage.

Important identification features (Table 1) were

used to develop species separation sheets (Figs. 2-

11) to help users identify specimens. Species accoun ts

composed of descriptions and illustrations of important distinguishing features (including variations in

morphology and body pattern phases) and distributional information are provided for each species. The

guide's illustrations are computer graphic and provide

I Scientific Editor's Note: The following pictorial guide represents a new approach to identifying fishes under difficult underwater conditions. The authors' objectives were to provide a

computerized guide in an accessible format to allow ready updating and, secondarily, to publish the guide in a traditional

paperbound format. We are publishing the figures as they will

appear on the computer screen, understanding that semidiagrammatic graphics are less desirable for publication than morphologically detailed illustrations. As noted, the authors will

provide the guide on disk and will distribute periodic updates to

all requestors.
2 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 118

interpretations of gross external features that are the

basis for identifying species from underwater footage.

A meristic table (Table 2) was compiled from values presented in published taxonomic references.

The table may be referred to in identifying captured

specimens; however, traditional taxonomic keys

should be consulted to positively identify specimens

based on meristic values.

Several critical factors for identifying groupers were

determined during extensive reviews of archived video

footage. Most significant was discerning important

distinguishing features, which were at times obscured

by distortions created by the camera's depth of field

and loss of light because of water depth and clarity.

Other factors included the orientation and number

of specimens within the camera's field and the electronic quality of video recordings.

The development of this pictorial guide resulted

from attempts to use traditional taxonomic references and field guides during video-assisted fishery

surveys. In addition, as the archive of video footage

was examined it became apparent that many of the

phases exhibited by groupers were undocumented.

This pictorial guide presents information that will

help users identify groupers for projects that deploy

underwater cameras. As other programs are initiated

and additional information is collected, the guide

can be revised to include new observations.

Methods _

Information presented in this pictorial guide resulted

from observations of underwater video footage, physical examination of specimens, and compilation of

literature. Survey footage was reviewed, and segments

with groupers were cataloged. Often it was necessary

to replay particular video segments to properly identify specimens. Identifications were frequently confirmed by consensus of the authors. Following the

identification of a specimen, pencil sketches and notations pertaining to important identification features were made. Taxonomic keys and field guides

were used when physical examination of specimens

was possible.

A general body shape for each species was drawn

by hand, then digitized to enable further detailed

illustration of body pattern phases and morphological characteristics. Illustrations were incorporated into

document form with appropriate text. The computerized document is DOS compatible and operates

within Microsoft Windows (version 3.0 or higher).

Distinguishing features that were found to be most

useful for identifying species were used as the basis

for separation sheets. The usefulness of distinguishing features was assessed by grouping species that

shared these features. The distinguishing features

chosen for the separation sheets were least difficult

to discern from footage and were effective for grouping similar species. Broadly interspecific distinguishing features proved to be of limited value because

the separation sheets that resulted were cumbersome

and did not effectively group species. Other distinguishing features were excluded because they were

difficult to discern from footage (e.g. the serrated

angle of the preopercle).

The species accounts are arranged in alphabetical

order according to scientific names. Descriptive text

of each body pattern phase is presented parallel to

the order of figures illustrating each phase and is

followed by descriptions of morphological features

and their variations, size range, distribution, or other

particular attributes (e.g. similarities with other species). Of the 25 grouper species presented, the jewfish, dusky, misty, and white groupers were not encountered during the video-assisted surveys. Information for these four species was compiled from

published references.

The term "elongate rays" is used in place of "exserted rays." Maximum size is the total length in

centimeters (em). General body shade or color is

referred to as "background" on the separation sheets.

"Drawn in part" or "redrawn in part" indicate a figure

was drawn or redrawn primarily from the cited reference, but features as described or illustrated in other

references, or discerned from video footage, were

included to complete the illustration. Other definitions for terms used to describe species are taken

from Heemstra and Randall (1993) as follows:

BARS are elongate, vertical or subvertical color

marks.

BANDS are oblique or horizontal ribbon-like markings, approximately one or two eye diameters in width.

STRIPES are narrow, oblique, or horizontal markings, less than an eye diameter in width.

BLOTCHES are areas larger than the eye that usually have an irregular or indistinct border.

DOTS are nostril-sized or smaller.

SPOTS are larger than dots and smaller than

blotches, usually with a regular or distinct border.

A SADDLE-BLOTCH is a dark, saddle-shaped blotch

on the dorsal part of the body or caudal peduncle.

The MAXILLARY STREAK (or "moustache streak")

is a dark streak along the edge ofthe maxillary groove,

which is below the eye and hidden by the maxilla

when the mouth is closed.

Recent changes in nomenclature have been included: Cephalopholis, Dermatolepis, and Alphestes are

considered valid genera, and Mycteroperca acutirostris
Grace et al.: Guide to Groupers of the Western North Atlantic 3

is the valid name for the comb grouper (Randall and

Heemstra, 1991; Heemstra, 1991; Heemstra and Randall, 1993). Nomenclature of the white grouper,

Myeteroperea eidi, is taken from Cervigon (1966). Nomenclature of all other species follows Robins et al.

(1991) .

General Description of Groupers _

Groupers are bottom dwellers and generally prefer

areas that offer cover (Smith, 1971). Some species

inhabit crevices, ledges, reefs (both natural and artificial), or other underwater structures. Yellowedge

groupers, Epinephelus flavolimbatus, have been observed inhabiting, and are believed to construct, burrow-like trenches Vones et aI., 1989). Juvenile red

groupers, Epinephelus morio, burrow in the laboratory

and probably in the wild as well; juvenile gag,

Myeteroperea mierolepis, and red groupers have been

reported from inshore grass beds; juvenile jewfish,

Myeteroperca itajara, from mangrove areas. 2 Although

groupers tend to be solitary, small single-species

groups were observed in survey footage and some

locations hosted several species. Nassau groupers,

Epznephelus striatus, are known to form very large . . 3

spawnmg aggregatIOns. Creole-fish, Paranthias fureifer, form aggregations as well.

A s~riking feature of many groupers is their ability

to qUIckly change color or body patterns. This behavior has been widely documented and has been attributed to a number of factors, including changes in

habitat, light, and water depth, and behavior related

to feeding, spawning, and defense, such as camouflaging or warding off other fish (Smith, 1971). Groupers have well-developed air bladders that enable them

to slowly roam, hover, or remain almost motionless.

Groupers are characterized by a variety of morphological features (Fig. 1). In general, they have large

mouths and thick bodies, which range in shape from

elongate to robust or compressed. The dorsal fin is

composed of spines (spinous dorsal) and soft rays

(soft dorsal). Caudal-fin shapes may vary from

rounded to forked. Pectoral and pelvic fins are beneath the spinous dorsal fin; the anal fin is beneath

the soft dorsal fin. The single lateral line terminates

at the caudal peduncle. Adults range in maximum

length from 31 cm for the graysby, Cephalopholis

eruentata, mutton hamlet, Alphestes afer, and Spanish

flag, Gonioplectrus hispanus, to 213 cm for thejewfish,

Epinephelus itajara.

2 Koenig, C., Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL. Personal

commun., February 1993.

3 Sadovy, Y., Caribbean Fishery Management Council, Hato Rey,

Puerto RICO. Personal commun., November 1992.

Using the guide _

Once it is determined that the specimen is a grouper,

refer to Table 1 and select one or more of the ten

identification features that apply to the specimen.

These important identification features correspond

t? s~paration sheets that group specimens exhibiting

sImllar features. If none of the iden tification features

presented in Table 1 are discernible, the identification process should not proceed.

. All species are included on as many of the separatIOn sheets as are applicable. Each separation sheet

has been designed as a flow chart. A bold "feature

box" in the upper left-hand corner contains one of

the ten important identification features. Branching

from this feature box are secondary features that

ultimately lead to a species determination. Use the

~rocess of elimination to work through the separatIOn sheets. Species that exhibit more than one important identification feature appear on more than

one separation sheet.

Several conditions contribute to why a specimen

may not fit within any of the separation sheets. The

user may be observing a morphological feature or

body pattern phase that was found not to be useful

for species identifications or was not accounted for

in the guide. Another condition may be that the user

does not have a clear or accurate view of the specimen or its important identification features. Under

these conditions, identify specimens only to the lowest reliable taxon.

After the specimen has been identified to species,

refer to the species accounts for further clarification.

S~e~ies accounts include specific information pertammg to distinguishing features, ontogenetic factors, size range, and distribution. Illustrations depict

documented phases; the labels identify key features.

Even though some features described in species accounts and depicted in illustrations will be difficult

or impossible to discern from footage (i.e. number

of dorsal-fin spines, gill raker counts, coloration, serrated angle of preopercle), they have been included

for captured specimens.

Descriptions such as "small eyes"or "large blotches"

are not quantitative terms. The use of proportionalities are unreliable because of distortions that are

likely to occur when using underwater camera or

video systems. Species illustrations may be referred

to for a general sense of scale.

Discussion

Assembling information from video footage into document form required many hours of effort, particularly in developing skills for interpreting footage. As
4 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 118

a result, the guide provides a wide range of information describing grouper phases and variations, many

of which were previously undocumented. Development of this guide is of particular significance because prior to publication, no previous references

specifically addressed identification of groupers from

underwater footage. Additional information from

underwater surveys can be easily assimilated into the

computerized version, which removes the inflexible

barrier of bound references to accommodate new

information. The guide will hopefully provide a useful format for future video-assisted marine fishery

studies.

Users with DOS compatible systems can amend,

revise, update, or customize (e.g. translate into another computer language) this pictorial guide by

working within Microsoft Windows (version 3.0 or

higher). This program provides options for

reconfiguring illustrations (Paintbrush) and changing text (Write) as needed. To request a copy of the

computerized version, users are asked to mail a high

density diskette with a diskette mailing envelope to

one of the authors at Mississippi Laboratories.4 Fonts

and page layouts differ between the printed and computerized versions.

4 The U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA, does not guarantee

the file integrity or accuracy of the distributed computer files

because of the possibility of infection by computer virus or

alterations to files, either while under its control or under the

control of subsequent users.

Guide to the Groupers

Table I

Identification features for western Atlantic groupers (Serranidae). Select features that apply to the specimen then

refer to the feature box of the appropriate separation sheet (Figs. 2-11).

Feature

1. Elongate rays extend past the margin of the soft dorsal, caudal, or anal fins.

2. Caudal fin forked, rounded, emarginate, or concave.

3. Saddle-blotch, bar, or two dark spots on the caudal peduncle.

4. One or several stripes or bands radiate from or continue through eye.

5. Spinous dorsal, soft dorsal, caudal, anal, or pectoral fins with white or pale margins.

6. Spinous dorsal, soft dorsal, caudal, anal, or pectoral fins with dark submarginal bands or dark margins.

7. Spots on head or body lighter than background.

8. Spots on head or body darker than background.

9. Body with horizontal, vertical, or oblique stripes, bars, or bands.

10. Body with regular or irregular shaped blotches.

Separation sheet

figure

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11
Preopercle Opercle

Opelcle spines

Figure 1

Selected morphological features of groupers (Serranidae).

CAUDAL FIN SHAPES

FORII.ED ]/

..

ELONGATE

BROOAlTAlL

RAYS

II

~J

EMARGINATE]/ ~ONCAVE (Slight fork) --..l..'

TRUNCA~ CONVEX ROUNDE~

Spinous dorsal notched

and higher than or equal

to soft dorsal.

DORSAL FIN TYPES

Spinous dorsal notched

and lower than soft dorsal.

Spinous dorsal angular.

without notches.

Elongate rays extend past the margin

of the soft dorsal, caudal or anal fins.

Body with white or dusky blotches edged

with black dots or with darle blotch

Darle dots may be visible around eyes. below origin of dorsal fln. Soft dorsal.

Upper angle of caudal fln with elongate - caudal. anal. pelvic and pectoral flns may

rays. Spinous dorsal angular. without not- have light margins. White spot behind

ches. Red Grouper. Flgs. 32·38 r-- posterior edge of maxilla may be visible.

I~~gatel Pectoral fins large.

Marbled Grouper· Figs. 19·22

• "rays

Stripes radiate posteriorly from eye. White

spots and blotches with horIzontal bands

Spots form broleen dusky bands along - and stripes along body. Some spots on

head and body. Pectoral fins dark. Soft

f--

fins. Comb Grouper· Fig. 49

dorsal and anal fins may have white margins. Can be confused with scamp. check

Spots form broleen dusky bands. bars or locality. White Grouper. Flg. 51

rectangular blotches along head and body.

r-- Dark spot at tip of lower law may be vls!-

Spots form broleen dusky bands and ble. Dorsal. caudal. anal and pectoral fins

blotches along head and body. Caudal fin with white or yellow margins.

may have light or darle margin. Pectoral - Yellowmouth Grouper - Flgs. 52 - 56

fin can be completely dark or with light or

dark margin. Scamp· Flgs. 59·62

Body with g - 11 vertical bars and numer-

'--- ous spots. Pectoral fins with orange margins. Soft dorsal. caudal and anal fins with

darle margins. Tiger Grouper -

Figs. 63 - 66

Figure 2

Separation sheet for western Atlantic groupers ("Serranidae) with elongate rays extending past the margin of the soft dorsal, caudal, or anal

fins. See Contents or species accounts for scientific names.

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Caudal fin forked, rounded, Body countershaded dark dorsally

and light ventrally. Spots (3 - 4)

emarginate or concave.

above the lateral line can be light or

dark and extend along the body from

I I behind the head to the caudal pedunde. Distinct red spot at origin of

pectoral fin. Deeply forked caudal

I Rounded I I Emarglnate or Concave1 fin with white or pale margin.

Creole-fish· Flgs. 69. 70

Diffuse dark blotches form vertical or

oblique bars and bands along head and Head and body with white or dusky blotches

body. Light spots arranged horizontally edged with black dots. White spot behind

on body and along edges 01 oblique posterior margin of maxilla. Soft dorsal. caubands on head. dal. anal and pelvic fins with white margins.

Mutton Hamlet· Ag.12

Soft dorsal and anal fins may have elongate

rays. Deep bodied.

Head. body and fins covered with dark Marbled Grouper. Figs. 1g - 22

spots. Darker or lighter spots [3 - 51

along base of dorsal fin. Head and hody Stripes radiate posteriorly from eye. White

may have oblique or vertical bars. Soft I- spots and blotches with horizontal bands

dorsal. caudal and anal fins often with and stripes along body. Some spots on fins.

dark marolns. Gravsbv • Aos. 13 - 15 Comb Grouper - Fio. 49

Head and body with white or dusky Spots form broken dusky bands. bars or

blotches edged with black dots. White rectangular blotches along head and body.

spot behind posterior margin of maxilla. May be countershaded dark dorsally and light

Soft dorsal. caudal. anal and pelvic fins Iventrally. Dark spot at tip of lower Jaw may be

/with white margins. Soft dorsal and anal lvisible. Dorsal. caudal. anal and pectoral fins

fins may have elongate rays. Deep Iwith yellow margins. Pectoral fin sometimes

bodied. Marbled Grouper • completely dark. Soft dorsal. caudal and anal

Ags. 19 - 22 fins may have elongate rays.

lYellowmoulh Grouper - Figs. 52 - 56

Numerous dark dots and spots and dark Spots form broken dUSky bands or rectangular

oblique irregular bars along head and blotches along body. May have large dark

body. Spinous dorsal fin deeply notch- saddle shaped blotch beneath dorsal fin

'- ed and lower than soft dorsal fin. Post- extending ventrally. Caudal fin can have light

erlor edge of maxilla extends past or dark margin. Pectoral fin can be completely

small eye. Body generally robust. dark or with dark or light margin. Soft dorsal.

Jewflsh· Ag. 30 caudal and anal fins may have elongate rays.

Scamp. Figs. 59 - 62

Figure 3

Separation sheet for western Atlantic groupers (Serranidae) with cauda)

fin forked, rounded, emarginate, or concave. See Contents or species

accounts for scientific names.

!Two dark spots on opposite sides of lower Jaw Saddle-blotch, bar or and on caudal peduncle. Body covered with

two dark spots on the spots. MargIns of soft dorsal. caudal. anal

and pectoral flns may be pale blue or light.

caudal peduncle. Coney· Ags. 16 -18

..

I I D~wO '.' dark

Saddle-blotch or Bar ::: spots

Saddle-blotch Above Extends Below Lateral Line ~j

Lateral Line Dark spo~" I"":""· fJ~.

!J:p:"

~.;\I1l1 Diffuse dark brown blotches form vertical

I:~ j~~1 or oblique bars and bands along head and am :...:I I- body. Light spots arranged horizontally I -- ... lat~~a; IIn~ ':i '. on body and along edges of oblique bands

lateral line on head. Mutton Hamiel - Flg.12

Numerous dark dots and spots along

head. body and fins. Dark oblique Irregu- Dark spots along body larger ventrally than lar bars along body. Spinous dorsal fin dorsally. Dark blotches along base of dorsal f- deeply notched and lower than soft dorsal fin. Pale margins on caudal and anal fins may fin. Posterior edge of maxilla extends be visible. Rock Hind· Figs. 23. 24 past small eye. Body robust.

Vertical rows of white spots along body. Blue Jewflsh· Fig. 30

stripe extends from eye to angle of pre- Body with 8 - g dark vertical bars. Three opercle. Dorsal. pectoral. anal and occasion- bands radiate from eye eloping downward ally the caudal flns have yellow or pale mar- f- and posteriorly. Posterior nostril much gins. May have yellow spot between second larger than anterior. and third dorsal spines. Misty Grouper - Figs. 39. 40 Yellowedge GrouDer· Flos. 27.28

Dark body with Irregularly arranged white Body with distinct white or dusky spots

I- arranged in vertical rows. May have yel- spots. Pectoral and caudal fins yellow or low pectoral and caudal fins. I- pale. Second dorsal spine longer than others. Snowy Grouper· Figs. 43, 44 Warsaw Grouper· Flgs. 41, 42

Vertical or oblique bars (5 - 6) along body.

Vertical or oblique bars [5 - 6) along body. Posterlor-most bar sometimes obscures

Posterior-most bar sometimes obscures a saddle-blotch on caudal peduncle. Dlstln.,.

saddlc-blotch on caudal peduncle. Distinctive f- tive forked band originates at snout and

forked band originates at snout and extends extends towards dorsal lin origin. Dark

towards dorsal fln origin. Small dark spots dots around eyes.

around eyes. Nassau Grouper· Nassau Grouper· Ags. 45 - 47 Figs. 45 - 47 Body wllh 9 - 11 vertical bars and numerous spots. Soft dorsal. caudal and anal

fins with dark margins.

Tiger Grouper· Figs. 63 - 66

Figure 4

Separation sheet for western Atlantic groupers (Serranidae) with saddleblotch, bar, or two dark spots on the caudal peduncle. See Contents or

species accounts for scientific names.

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One or several stripes or Two or More StripesI

bonds radiate from or I or Bands

continue through eye. Diffuse dark blotches form vertical or

oblique bands and bars along head

and body. Light spots arranged horlISingle Stripe or Band I zontally on body and along edges of

oblique bands on head.

Head. body and fins covered with dark spots

Mullon Hamlet - Fig. 12

and with 3 - 5 lighter or darker spots along Three stripes radiate from eye slopdorsal lin base. May have light vertical bars ing downward and posteriorly. Body

on body and light obllqoe bars on head. one with 8 - g dark vertical bars. Saddleof which continues through eye. Solt dorsal. blotch or dark bar on caudal peduncle.

caudal and anal fins olten with dark margins. Posterior nostril larger than anterior.

Caudal lin rounded. Graysby • Flgs. 13 - 15 Misty Grouper' Figs. 39. 40

Blue stripe extends from eye to angle of pre- Body with 6 • 8 dusky pink stripes and

operde. White spots arranged In vcrtlcal may have small dark dots and spots

rows. Dorsal. pedoral. anal and occasionally [freckling). Large red blotch on anal

the caudal lin with yellow or pale margins. lin. White blotch on belly between pelMay have yellow spot between second and vic and anal lin. Broad opercle spine

third dorsal spines and saddle-blotch on cau' extends at least to operde margin.

dal peduncle. Spanish Flag - Flg. 48

Yellowedae GrouDer· Figs. 27.28 Stripes radiate posteriorly from eye.

Stripe that continues through eye can be White spots and blotches with horleither light or dark. Body patterns variable zontal bands and stripes along body.

with light or dark spots and blotches. A dark Some spots on IIns.

forked band originating at the snout and ex- Comb Grouper· Flg. 49

tending towarda origin of dorsal lin is olten Stripes composed of spots radiate

visible. Solt dorsal. caudal and anailins with from eyes. Head and body with large dark margins. Spinous dorsal angular. with- reelangular blotches dorsally and out notches. hexagonal spots ventrally. Solt dorsal.

Red Grouper· Figs. 32 - 38 caudal and anal fins with dark marDlstlndlve forked band originates at snout gins. Pectoral lin with narrow orange

and extends towards dorsal lin origin. Body margin. Black Grouper - Fig. 50

with 5 - 6 vertical or oblique bars. the poster- Several bands and stripes radiate from lor -most sometimes obscures a saddleblotch on caudal peduncle. Light margins on eyes. Body with numerous ocellated

caudal and anal fins. Dark spots around eye.

blotches. Solt dorsal. caudal. anal and

Nassau Grouper· Flgs. 45·47 pelvic Iins with pale blue margins.

Gag· Figs. 57. 58

Dark band originates at snout. continues

through eye and terminates at caudal peduncle. Dark vertical bars (9 -11) along head and

body may be visible.

TIger Grouper. Rgs. 63·66

Figure 5

Separation sheet for western Atlantic groupers (Serranidae) with one or

several stripes or bands radiating from or continuing through eye. See

Contents or species accounts for scientific names.

Spinous dorsal, soft dorsal, ~Spots or Blotches on Two dark spots on caudal

Head or Body Darker pedunde and on opposite

caudal, anal or pectoral fins Than Background sides of lower Jaw.

Coney - Figs. 16 - 18

with white or pale margins. Spots along body larg- Body covered with equal- er ventrally than dorI sally. Dark blotches

sized spots. Spinous

along base of dorsal

dorsal with yellow tips.

IISpots or Blotches on Head or II "In. saddle-blotch on Dark submarginal bands

Body Lighter Than Background caudal peduncle. Rock on solt dorsal. caudal and

Hind • Figs. 23. 24

anallins. Red HInd.

Body entirely dark or with blotchRg.29

Dark dots around eyes and Head and body with large es edged with black dots. White 5 - 6 vertical or oblique bars

spot behind posterior edge of along body. Saddle-blotch reelangular blotches dormaxilla may be visible. Peeloral on caudal peduncle may be sally and hexagonal spots

fins large. Marbled Grouper • visible. Forked band origln- r"entrally. Bands radiate

Flgs. 19 - 22 ates at snout and extends rom eyes. Dark bands on

to dorsal fin origin. Na..au soft dorsal. caudal and

Vertical rows of white spots along Grouper. Ags. 45 - 47 anal fln margins.

body and saddle-blotch some- Blaclc Grouper - Rg. 50

times visible. Blue stripe extends Spots along head and body Spots form broken dusky from eye to angle of preopercle. form dusky broken bands.

May have yellow spot between Peelorailins dark. t.4ay bands. bars or rectangula,

second and third dorsal spines. havc elongate rays on soft blotches along head and

Yellowedge Grouper • dorsal. caudal and anaillns body. t.4ay be counterFigs. 27. 28 Can be confused with shaded dark dorsally and

Body with oblique or vertical dllscamp. check locality. light ventrally. Spot at tip

White Grouper - Flg.51 of lowerJaw may be vlslfuse bars composed of dots and ble. Yellowmourh

spots. Rns dark with some white Body with numerous oeel- Grouper - Flas. 52 - 56

spots. Check locality. possibly lated blotches. Bands and Spots form broun dusky

occurs only In eastern Atlantic. stripes radiate from eyes.

Dusky Grouper. Fig. 31 Gag. Figs. 57. 58

bands or reelangular

blotches along head and

Body with distinct white or dusky Body with 9 - 11 vertical body. Peeloral fin may be

spots arranged In vertical rows. bars and numerous spots. dark. Elongate rays on

May have yellow peeloral and Dark margins on solt dor- soft dorsal. caudal and

caudaillns. sal. caudal and anaillns. anaillns may be present.

Snowy Grouper. Flgs. 43. 44 TIger Grouper • Seamp • Flgs. 59 - 62

Body countershaded dark dorsalFlgs. 63 - 66 Numerous oval blotches

Iy and light ventrally. Dlstlnel red Body countershaded dark along head and body. Subspot at origin of pedoral fins. dorsally and light ventral- marginal or marginal dark

Caudal lin deeply forked. Iy. Caudal lin deeply forked. bands on soft dorsal. caDCreole.flsh - Flgs. 69. 70 Creole.flsh. Flgs. 69. 70 ~~I and anal fins. YellowIn Grouper. Rgs. 67. 68

Figure 6

Separation sheet for western Atlantic groupers (Serranidae) with spinous

dorsa), soft dorsal, caudal, anal, or pectoral fins with white or pale margins. See Contents or species accounts for scientific names.

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Spinous dorsal. soft dorsal. ~ody with distinct white or duslc)l

caudal. anal or pectoral fins ~pots errenged In vertlcel rows.

~ey heve yellow pectorel end

'th d k b . I b d eudelfins. WI ar SU marglna an s -i~eddle-blotch or,[ Snowy Grouper _figs. 43. 44 • Derle Ber on

or dark margins. Ceudel Peduncle Body with 9 -11 verticel bers

I end numerous spots. Pectorel

fins with orenl)e merglns. I~pots or Blotches on Hud or II TI er Gro er _A s. 63 - 66

Body Derleer Then Becleground g up g

I~pots or Botches on Heed or II Body. hud end fins with spots Body Lighter Then Becleground end 3 - 5 derker or lighter spots

Numerous white dots end elong dorsel fin bRse.

spots on heed. body end Graycby - figs. 13 -15

Elongete Reys Extend fins. Beckground cen be ~eed end body covered with derk

Pest Soft Dornl. Ceudel derle reddish brown or ten. ~pots of equel size. Spinous doror Anel fin Merolns Speckled Hind - ~el with yellow tips. Soft dorsel.

Ags. 25. 26 eudel end enel fins heve white

Derle dots mey be Derle dots mey be visible "'ergins. Red Hind - fig. 29

~slble eround eyes. eround eyes. Spinous dor- Derk dots mey be visible eround

Spinous dorsel engu- nl enguler. without notch- eyes. Spinous dorsel enguler.

ler. without notches. es. Red Grouper - without notches.

Red Grouper - Ags. 32 - 38 Red Grouper - figs. 32 - 38

figs. 32 - 38 Hud end body merked with lerge Body with distinct white or

Spots form broleen dusky spots errenged In rectenguler blotches dorselly end

bends end blotches vertlcel rows. Derle nddlc- hexegonel spots ventrelly. Bends

elong heed end body. blotch or ber on uudel rediete from eyes. Pectorel fins

PectoreIfin with light peduncle. Mey hBVe yel- with pele oruge or yellow meror derle merglns. low pectorel or ceudel fins. gins. Black Grouper - fig. 50

Scamp - Snowy Grouper - Spots form broleen dusky bends

Ags. 59 - 62 figs. 43. 44 e'ong heed end body. Soft dorsel

Body with 9 - 11 vert!- end enel fin mey heve white mercel bers end numer- Body with ocelleted blotches.~ gins. pectorel fins derk. Cen be

ous spots. Pectorel Stripes redlete from eyes. confused with sump, check

fins with orenge mer- Gag - figs. 57. 58 locelity. White Grouper-fig. 51

gins. Spots form broleen buds or Body with 9 -11 verticel bars end

Tiger Grouper - rectenguler blotches elong numerous spots. Pectorel fins

Ags. 63 - 66 heed end body. Pectorel fins with orenge mergins.

derle or with IIghf or dule mer- nger Grouper - figs. 63 - 66

gins. Elongete reys mey be Numerous derk ovel blotches

present on soft dornl. uu- elong heed end body. Pectorel

del or enel fins. fins with broed yellow merglns.

Scamp - Ags. 59 - 62 Vellowfln Grouper- Ags. 67.68

Figure 7

Separation sheet for western Atlantic groupers (Serranidae) with spinous

dorsal, soft dorsal, caudal, anal, or pectoral fins with dark submarginal

bands or dark margins. See Contents or species accounts for scientific

names.

Spots on head or body "rreguler ArrengementI

lighter than background. of Spots

Light or derle spots (3 - 5) elong dorul fin

I bue. Heed end body covered with derle

spots. Mey heve oblique light bers on head IReguler Arrengement I end verticellight bers on body. Soft dornl.

of Spots ceudel and enel fins with derle margins.

Graysby· Ags. 13 - 15

Diffuse derle blotches form vertical or Body with white spots end white or dusky oblique bers and bands elong heed and

body. Light spots arrenged horizontally blotches edged with blaclc dots. White spot

on body and along edges of oblique behind posterior margin of maxille. Soft do,..

bends on heed. sal end enel fins mey heve elongate revs.

Mutton Hamlet· Ag.12 Soft dorsel. ceudel. enel. pelvic end pectorei fins sometimes with white margins.

1~OdY. heed end fins with derk spots and Marbled Grouper· figs. 19 - 22

3 - 5 derleer or lighter spots elong dorul Blotches (1 - 4) along base of dorsal fin and

fin base. Graysby. Ags. 13 - 15 saddle-blotch on caudal peduncle. Head.

Spots arranged In verticel rows. Dorsal. body and fins covered with darle spots that

pectorel. enal end occaslonelly the cau- ere lerger ventrelly then dornlly. Caudal

and anel fins mey heve pale merglns. dal fin with yellow or pale merglns. Blue Rock Hind· Ags. 23.24 stripe extends from eye to angle of preopercle. Mey heve uddle-blotch on Numerous white dots and spots on heed.

caudal peduncle. body end fins. Soft dorsal. caudel and enal

Vellowedge Grouper. figs. 27.28 fins with dark margins.

Speckled Hind· Ags. 25. 26

Spinous dorsel with darle mergln. White

spots arrenged vertiully. Mey heve Body with diffuse oblique or vertlcel bars

uddle-blotch on caudel peduncle end composed of smell spots. Ans derle with

yellow caudel end pectorel fins. some spots. Checle locality. possibly occurs

Snowy Grouper· Ags. 43.44 only In entern Atlantlc.

Dusky Grouper - Ag.31

Derle dots eround eyes may be visible. Soft

dorsal. CBudel end enel fins with derle mergins. Spinous dorul engular, without notches. Red Grouper. figs. 32 - 38

Seddle-blotch on ceudel peduncle. Pectoral

end caudel fins yellow or pale. Second

dorsal spine longer than others,

Warsaw Grouper· Ags. 41. 42

~dy countershaded dark dorsally and light White spots -and blotches with horizontal

ntrally. Caudel fin deeply forleed. bands and stripes along the body. Some

Creole-fish· Ags. 69. 70 spots on fins. Dark or dusky stripes rediate

from eyes. Comb Grouper· Ag. 49

Figure 8

Separation sheets for western Atlantic groupers (Serranidae) with spots on

head or body lighter than background. See Contents or species accounts for

scientific names.

00

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Blotches (1 - 4) along

Spots on head or body HSpots LargerVentrallYr-- dorsal fin base and

saddle-blotch above darker than background. Than Dorsally lateral line. Pale margins on caudal and I anal fins may be visible. Rock Hind· ISpots About The Same Size I Ags. 23.24

Head. body and fins with darlc spots and 3 - 5 darlc-

~wo darlc spots on opposite sides 01 er or lighter spots along dorsal fin base. Soft dorlower Jaw and on caudal peduncle. Body sal. caudal and anal fins often with darlc or reddish

covered with dots and spots. Margins of margins. Head and body may have oblique Dr versoft dorsal. caudal. anal and pectoral tical light bars. Caudal fin rounded.

fins may be pale blue or light. Body Graysby. Figs. 13 - 15

cDlor ranges from yellow or golden. darlc

reddish brDwn or distinctly cDuntershad- Spinous dDrsal with yellow tips. Soft dDrsal. caudal

ed dark dDrsally and light ventrally. and anal fins with dark submarginal bands and

Coney· Ags.16-18 narrow white margins. Red Hind - Fig. 29

Dark dots around eyes and faint dusky Numerous dots and SPDtS along head. bDdy and

spots along body may be visible. SDft Iins. Darlc Dbllque irregular bars alDng head and

dDrsal. caudal and anailins often with f- bDdy. SplnDus dorsal fin deeply nDtched and shortdark margins. SplnDus dorsal angular. r- er than soft dorsal fin. Posterior edge DI maxilla

without notches. extends past small eye. Body robust.

Red Grouper· Ags. 32 - 38 Jewfish· Fig. 30

Body with 6 - 8 dusky plnlc stripes and Darlc dDts around eyes. Vertical or oblique bars

small dots and spots (freckling) may (5 - 61 along body. Posterior-most vertical bars may

be visible. Large red blotch on anal lin. obscure saddle-blotch on caudal peduncle. DistinctWhite blotch on belly between pelvic ive larked band Drlglnates at snout and extends

and anal fin. Broad opercle spine ex- towards dorsal fin origin. Caudal and anal fins may

tends at least to opercle margin. have dull yellow margins.

Spanish Flag. Ag. 48 Nassau Grouper. Figs. 45 - 41

Body with 9 - 11 darlc vertical bars and Head and body with large rectangular blDtches dornumerDUS spots. Pectoral fins with sally and hexagonal spots ventrally. Bands radiate

orange margins. May have elDngate f- from eyes. Soft dorsal. caudal and anal fins with

rays and dark mar9ins Dn soft dDrsal. dark margins. pectoral fin with pale Drange Dr yelcaudal and anal fins. low margin. Black Grouper. Fig. 50

Tiger Grouper· Figs. 63 - 66

Body countershaded dark dDrsal1y and light ventrally. Distinct red spot at pectDral fin Drlgln. Light Dr

dark spots [3 - 4) along body beginning behind head

and abDve lateral line. Deeply fDrlced caudal fin with

pale or white margin. Creole-fish· Figs. 69. 70

Figure 9

Separation sheet for western Atlantic groupers (Serranidae) with spots on

head or body darker than background. See Contents or species accounts

for scientific names.

Body with horizontal, vertical orH. Bars. Bands or II

oblique stripes, bars or bonds. Stripes Darlcer

Than Background

T Diffuse dark blDtches IDrm vertical or

Bars. Bands or oblique bars and bands alDng head and

Stripes Lighter body. Light SPDts arranged horizontally on

Than Background bDdy and alDng edges DI oblique bands on

Oblique bars on head and ver- head. Munon Hamiel. Fig. 12

tical bars Dn body. Body and head Oblique Irregular bars along head and

covered with dark spots and 3 - 5 body. Numerous dark dDts and spots on dark spots along base 01 dorsal head. body and IIns. Spinous dorsal lin

lin. SDft dorsal. caudal and anal deeply notched and lower than soft dorsal.

flns with dark margins. PDsterlDr edge DI maxilla extends past Graysby· Ags.13 -15 small eye. BDdy rDbust.

Jewflsh· Ag. 30

Body with diffuse Dbllque Dr vertIcal bars composed 01 white dots Body with 8 - 9 vertical bars. Three stripes

and spots. Ans dark with some radiate Irom eye sloping downward and

SPDtS. Check locality. possibly posteriorly. Saddle-blDtch or bar Dn caudal

Dccurs only In eastern Atlantic. peduncle. PDsterlDr nostril larger than anDusky Grouper· Fig. 31 terlDr. Misty Grouper· Figs. 39 - 40

Oblique white stripes on head and Vertical or oblique bars (5 - 6)alDng head

beneath spinous dDrsal. Soft dor- and bDdy. pDsterlor-most can obscure a

sal. caudal and anaillns with darlc saddle-blotch on caudal peduncle. Darlc

margins. Spinous dorsal angular. dots arDund eye. Distinctive IDrlced band

wlthDut notches. originates at snDut and extends tDwards

Red Grouper· Figs. 32 - 38 dorsal fin Drlgln. Caudal and anailins may

have dull yellDw margins.

Nassau Grouper· Ags. 45 - 47

White spots and blotches with hDrizontal Body with 6 - 8 dusky pink stripes and

bands and stripes along body. Some SPDtS small SPDtS (Ireddlng) may be visible.

on fins. Dark or dusky stripes extend post- Large red blDtch Dn anal fln. white blDtch on

erlorty IrDm eye. belly between pelvic and anal fins. Broad

Comb Grouper· Ag. 49 opercle spine extends at least to opercle

Spots along head and body lorm brDken

marDin. Spanish Flaa· Ag. 48

dusky bands and bars. Dark spot at tip 01 BDdy with 9 - 11 vertical bars and numerlower Jaw may be visible. Dorsal. caudal. ous dark spots. Pectoral fins with orange

anal and pectoral fins with white or yellow margins. Soft dorsal. caudal and anal fins

margins. May have elongate rays on solt with darlc margins.

dorsal. caudal or anal fins. Tiger Grouper - Figs. 63 - 66

Yellowmouth Grouper· Figs. 52 - 56

Figure 10

Separation sheet for western Atlantic groupers (Serranidae) with horizontal, vertical, or oblique stripes, bars, or bands along body. See Contents or

species accounts for scientific names.

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IBodyWith DUSkyl Body with regular or lor Dark Blotches

irregular shaped blotches. Large dark blotch beneath

Dark blotches1

1

- ~J dorsal fin origin. Caudal fin

along base of dorsal fin bisected with narrow dark

I~OdYWIth White and saddle-blotch above bar. Other phases have bod~

or Pale Blotches lateral line. Dark spots with white or dusky blotches

cover body. larger ven- edged with black dots. Soft

Body and head with white or !rally than dorsally. dorsal or anal fins may have

dusky blotches edged with black Rock Hlnd-Ags.23. 2~ elongate rays. dots. Soft dorsal. caudal. anal.

peMc and pectoral fins some- Soft dorsal. caudal and anal Marbled Grouper.

times with white margins. White fins with dark margins. Spin- Flos.19-22

spot behind posterior margin of ous dorsal angular. without Body with large rectangular

maxilla. Deep bodied. Marbled notches. May have

a forked blotches dorsally and hexaGrouper. Aga. 19 - 22 band that originates at snout gonal spots ventrally.

and extends to dorsal fin Banda radiate from eyes.

Soft doraal. caudal and anal flna origin. Red Grouper. Soft dorsal. caudal and anal

with dark margins. Spinous dor- Figs. 32

- 38 fins with dark margins. Peesal fin angular. without notches.

Spota form broken duaky oral fin with narrow orange

May havea forked band that margin. Black Grouper.

originates at snout and extends bands along head and body. Fig. 50

towards dorsal fin origin. Soft dorsal and anal fins may

Red Grower. Aos. 32- 38 have white margins. Pectoral Spots form broken dusky

fins dark. May have elongate bands. bars or rectangular

Dusky pink stripes 16- 8) and rays on soft dorsal. caudal blotches along body. Dorsal.

dark dots and spots Ifreckllng) and anal fins. Can be con- caudal. anal and pectoral

along body. Large red blotch on fused with scamp. check fins with yellow margins.

anal fin. white blotch on belly be- locality. White Grouper

- May have elongate rays on

tween pelvic and anal fin. Broad Ao.51 soft dorsal. caudal and anal

operde spine extends at least to Body with numerous ocel- fins. Vellowmouth

operde margin. lated blotches. Bands and Grouper. Ags. 52

- 56

Spanlah F1aa• Ao. ~8 stripes radiate from eyes. Spots form broken dusky

White spots and blotches with Soft dorsal. caudal. anal and bands or rectangular blotchhorizontal bands and stripes pelvic fins with pale blue es along head and body.

along body. Some spots on fins. margins.Gag

• Figs. 57.58 Caudal fin may have broad

Dark or dusky stripes radiate Numerous oval blotches white or black margins. Peefrom eyes. along head and body. Soft oral fln often with white marComb Grouper. AD. ~9 dorsal. caudal. anal and gin or completely dark. May

sometimes the pelvic fin with have elongate rays on soft

Distinct red spot at pectoral fin dark submarginal bands and dorsal. caudal and anal fins.

base. Deeply forked tall caudal fin Scamp

- Ags. 59- 62

with pale or white margin. narrow white margins. Peetoral fin with broad yellow Creole-fl.h • Ags. 69. 70 margin. Vellowfln

Grouper- Figs. 67. 68

Figure 11

Separation sheet for western Atlantic groupers (Serranidae) with regular

or irregular shaped blotches along body. See Contents or species ac·

counts for scientific names.

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Grace et al.: Guide to Groupers of the Western North Atlantic 11

Mutton Hamlet, Alphestes afer

Figure 12

Body varies from orange red to olive brown. Usually with diffuse dark brown blotches that form oblique or

vertical bars and bands on head and body. Light dots and spots on body arranged in diffuse horizontal patterns

and along the oblique bands and bars of the head. Dark bar on caudal peduncle extends below lateral line.

Snout generally shorter than eye diameter. Caudal fin rounded. Preopercle serrated, the lower edge with a

large spine that angles forward, which is sometimes hidden by skin. Maximum size: 31 em. Range: western

Atlantic, from Bermuda to Argentina, including the West Indies and the Caribbean. Similar in body shape to

marbled grouper.

Corner of preopercle with

spine, (usually covered by skin)

,

Dark bar

extends below

lateral line

Figure 12

Mutton hamlet, Alphestes a!er. Phase 1 of one,

adult; drawn from a photograph by E.

Gutherz (U.S. Oep. Commer., NOAA, NMFS,

Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Pascagoula, MS, Unpub!. manuscr.)
12 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 118

Graysby, Cephalopholis cruentata

Figures 13-15

Body light (brown or gray) or dark with equally sized reddish brown spots on head and body. Usually 3-5 dark

spots along dorsal-fin base. Occasionally reported with oblique light stripes or bands on head (one extending

from the tip of the snout towards the dorsal-fin origin) and oblique bars on body. Soft dorsal, caudal, and anal

fins often with reddish or dark margins. Dorsal spines nine. Caudal fin rounded. Maximum size: 31 em. Range:

western Atlantic, from Bermuda to the northern coast of South America, including the Gulf of Mexico and

Caribbean. May be confused with the rock hind and red hind.

Figure 13

Graysby, Cephalopholis cmentata. Phase 1 of

three, adult, light phase.

Figure 14

Graysby, Cephalopholis cmentata. Phase 2 of

three, adult, dark phase.
Grace et al.: Guide to Groupers of the Western North Atlantic 13

Figure 15

Graysby, Cephalopholis crnentata. Phase 3 ofthree,

adult.
14 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 118

Coney, Cephaloph0 lisfulva

Figures 16-18

Body color variable, countershaded dark dorsally and light ventrally, yellow, golden, or dark reddish brown.

Head and body with dots and small dark-rimmed spots, which may be blue or occasionally white. Two dark spots

always present on the caudal peduncle and on opposite sides of the tip of the lower jaw. "Sleep pattern" of

irregular vertical bars and a forked band that runs from the snout towards the dorsal on (Smith, 1971); this

phase may be associated with anoxia or low light levels. Maximum size: 41 cm. Range: tropical western Atlantic,

from Bermuda to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico.

Dark spot

Figure 16

Coney, Cephalopholis Julva. Phase

1 of three, adult, countershaded.

Figure 17

Coney, Cephalopholis Julva. Phase

2 of three, adult, yellow or golden

phase.
Grace et al.: Guide to Groupers of the Western North Atlantic 15

Figure 18

Coney, Cephalopholis fulva. Phase

3 of three, adult, dark phase.
16 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 118

Marbled Grouper, Dermatolepis inermis

Figures 19-22

Body brown to black with numerous dusky or white blotches edged with black dots. White spot behind posterior

margin of maxilla may be visible (Smith, 1971). Light phase with a dark blotch at the top of the head and a dark

bar that bisects the caudal fin. Other specimens with bodies completely dark and the soft dorsal, caudal, anal,

pelvic, and pectoral fins with white or pale margins. May have elongate rays on soft dorsal and anal fins. Caudal

fin rounded in young, becoming truncate or concave in adults. Pectoral fin large. Head profile steeper than in

other groupers. Maximum size: 91 em. Range: tropical western Atlantic. Similar in body shape to mutton

hamlet, but maxilla does not extend past posterior margin of eye.

White spot

Figure 19

Marbled grouper, Dermatolepis inermis. Phase

1 of four, adult.

Figure 20

Marbled grouper, Dermatolepis inermis. Phase

2 of four, adult, light phase.
Grace et al.: Guide to Groupers of the Western North Atlantic 17

Figure 21

Marbled grouper, Dermatolepis inermis. Phase

3 of four, adult, dark phase.

Figure 22

Marbled grouper, Dermatolepis inermis. Phase

4 of four, juvenile.
18 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 118

Rock Hind, Epinephelus adscensionis

Figures 23 and 24

Body dusky or pale brown with numerous reddish brown spots on head, body, and fins. Spots usually larger

ventrally. Dark blotches (1-4) along the dorsal-fin base, with a saddle-blotch that does not extend below the

lateral line on the caudal peduncle. White spots on body may be present. Dusky phase with broad mottled

oblique blotches. Posterior edges of caudal and anal fins may have pale margins. Some specimens have a thin

dark margin on posterior edges of dorsal and caudal fins; however, this feature is not common in this species.

Tips of spinous dorsal fin yellow. Maximum size: 61 cm. Range: central western Atlantic, including the Gulf of

Mexico and the Caribbean. May also occur in the eastern Atlantic (Smith, 1971). May be confused with the red

hind.

Figure 23

Rock hind, Epinephelus adscensionis. Phase 1

of two, adult, light phase.

Figure 24

Rock hind, Epinephelus adscensionis. Phase 2

of two, adult, dusky phase.
Grace et al.: Guide to Groupers of the Western North Atlantic 19

Speckled Hind, Epinephelus drummondhayi

Figures 25 and 26

Body tan to dark reddish brown with numerous white dots and spots on head, body, and fins. Juveniles may be

xanthic (Bullock and Smith, 1991) and occasionally have two or three pale areas below the dorsal fin. Soft

dorsal, caudal, and anal fins may have dark outer margins. Preopercle serrated. Maximum size: up to 102 em.

Range: western Atlantic, from Bermuda to south Florida, including the northern Gulf of Mexico. Body more

compressed than rock hind or red hind.

Figure 25

Speckled hind, Epinephelus drummondhayi.

Phase 1 of two, adult.

Figure 26

Speckled hind, Epinephelus drummondhayi.

Phase 2 of two,juvenile. Drawn from photograph (Bullock and Smith, 1991).
20 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 118

Yellowedge Grouper, Epinephelus Jlavolimbatus

Figures 27 and 28

Body generally reddish brown or tan. A blue stripe may extend from the eye to the angle of the preopercle.

Juveniles usually have a saddle-blotch that does not extend below the lateral line on the caudal peduncle. White

spots arranged in vertical rows along the body and dorsal fin common in juveniles and, sometimes, adults.

Dorsal, pectoral, anal, and, occasionally, caudal fins with yellow or pale margins in both juveniles and adults. A

distinct yellow spot sometimes between the second and third dorsal spines.5 Iris bright yellow. Pelvic fin usually

dark. Maximum size: 76 em. Range: western Atlantic, from Bermuda to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and

Caribbean. Juveniles may be confused with snowy and warsaw groupers.

Yellow spot may be present

Figure 27

Yellowedge grouper, Epinephelus flavolimbatus. Phase 1 of two, adult.

Saddle-blotch does

not extend below

.'" jato""lno

Figure 28

Yellowedge grouper, Epinephelus flavolimbatus. Phase 2 of two, juvenile.

5 Gutherz, E., U.S. Dep. Commer., NOAA, NMFS, Southeast Fish-

'eries Science Center, Pascagoula, MS, un pub!. manuscr.
Grace et al.: Guide to Groupers of the Western North Atlantic 21

Red Hind, Epinephelus guttatus

Figure 29

Body usually reddish brown with numerous dark red spots on head and body. Ventral and dorsal spots of same

size. Spinous dorsal fin may be tipped with yellow. Soft dorsal, caudal, and anal fins have broad submarginal

dark bands with narrow white margins. No large dark areas along base of dorsal fin or on caudal peduncle. A

juvenile (5 cm) similar in appearance to adults but without dark submarginal bands has been reported. 3

Maximum size: 71 cm. Range: central western Atlantic, from Bermuda to the north coast of South America,

including the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. May be confused with the rock hind.

Figure 29

Red hind, }o,pinephelus guttatus. Phase 1 of one,

adult.
22 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 118

Jewfish, Epinephelus itajara

Figure 30

Body generally yellowish brown to olive. May have oblique irregular bars along head and body, and small dark

dots and spots on head, body, and fins. Oblique bars and spotting more evident in young. Spinous dorsal fin

deeply notched and much lower than soft dorsal fin. Body generally robust. Posterior edge of maxilla extends

past small eye. Caudal fin rounded. The jewfish is the largest western Atlantic grouper. Juveniles may be found

in mangrove swamp areas (Bullock and Smith, 1991). Maximum size: 213 cm (309 kg) (Randall, 1968). Range:

eastern Pacific and tropical western Atlantic, including the Gulf of Mexico. Large specimens sometimes

confused with warsaw groupers. Species account compiled from Bullock and Smith (1991), Hoese and Moore

(1977), Randall (1968), Robins et al. (1986), and Smith (1971 and 1978).

Figure 30

Jewfish, Epinephelus itajara. Phase

1 of one, adult. Drawn in part from

a photograph (Randall, 1968).
Grace et al.: Guide to Groupers of the Western North Atlantic 23

Dusky Grouper, Epinephelus marginatus

Figure 31

Body dark grey, reddish brown, or dark purple. Scattered diffuse white dots and spots may form oblique or

vertical bars on body. Large adults generally uniformly dark brown with a gray yellow belly. Caudal and anal fins

with white margins. Fins generally dark with some white spots. Maximum size: 122 cm and 45 kg. Range:

common along the west coast of Africa and southern Brazil; distributional reports from the western North

Atlantic, Bermuda, and the Gulf of Mexico may confuse this species with other superficially similar groupers.

Current convention (Heemstra and Randall, 1993) does not include the dusky grouper in the western North

Atlantic, though its occurrence has been previously documented by Osaka (1976) and Smith (1981). Species

account compiled from Heemstra (1991), Rivas (1964), and Smith (1981).

Figure 31

Dusky grouper, Epinephelus marginatus. Phase 1 of one, adult. Redrawn in part from Smith (1981).
24 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 118

Red Grouper, Epinephelus mono

Figures 32-38

Body reddish brown or dusky and may have light or dark spots, stripes, bars, or blotches. A dark phase possesses

oblique white stripes on head or large white blotches posteriorly. Light phases may be brownish or gray and may

exhibit faint spotting along the body or mottled vertical blotches. The blotched and banded phase closely

resembles the markings of the Nassau grouper, with similar body patterns and a forked band that originates on

the snout. Dark dots around eyes may be present. May have dark margins along the soft dorsal, caudal, and anal

fins; the caudal fin may be dark submarginally with a narrow white margin. Frequently, especially in juveniles, a

dark or dusky stripe originates at the snout and continues through the eye towards the dorsal-fin origin. Inside

of mouth scarlet red. Spinous dorsal fin high and angular without notches between spines. Elongate rays may be

present at the upper angle of the caudal fin. Angle of preopercle serrated.Juveniles occur in seagrass beds and

offshore reefs. 2 Maximum size: 107 em. Range: western Atlantic from New England to Brazil, including the Gulf

of Mexico.

Figure 32

Red grouper, Epinephelus morio. Phase 1 of

six, adult, dark phase with white spots.

Figure 33

Red grouper, Epinephelus morio. Phase 2 ofsix,

adult, dark phase with oblique white stripes.
Grace et al.: Guide to Groupers of the Western North Atlantic 25

Elongate rays

may be present

X

Figure 34

Red grouper, Epinephelus morio. Phase 3 of

six, adult, dark phase with white blotches.

Figure 35

Red grouper, bpinephelus morio. Phase 4 of

six, adult, light phase with faint spots.

Figure 36

Red grouper, Epinephelus morio. Phase 5 of

six, adult, light mottled phase.
26 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 118

Dorsal fin angular

""4.

Figure 37

Red grouper, Epinephelus morlo. Phase 6 of

six, adult, blotched and banded.

Figure 38

Red grouper, Epinephelus morlo. Phase 6 of

six, adult, front view.
Grace et al.: Guide to Groupers of the Western North Atlantic 27

Misty Grouper, Epinephelus mystacinus

Figures 39 and 40

Body usually pale gray or brown, with 7-10 dark vertical bars along head and body. Three stripes or bands

radiate from the eye, sloping downward and posteriorly. Posterior nostril much larger than anterior nostril in

adults. Young similar to adults but with saddle-blotch on the caudal peduncle instead of the dark bar in adults.

Both dark saddle and dark bar extend below lateral line. A black mark (moustache) above the maxillary may be

noticeable. Preopercle angular. Maximum size: 152 cm (55 kg). Range: western Atlantic, from Bermuda to

Brazil and the Caribbean. May be confused with red and Nassau groupers. Species account compiled from

Bullock and Smith (1991), Rivas (1964), Robins et al. (1986), and Smith (1971 and 1978).

Figure 39

Misty grouper, Epinephelus mystacinus. Phase

1 of two, adult. Redrawn in part from Robins et al. (1986).

Figure 40

Misty grouper, Epinephelus mystacinus. Phase

2 of two, juvenile. Drawn from a photograph

(Bullock and Smith, 1991).
28 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 118

Warsaw Grouper, Epinephelus nigritus

Figures 41 and 42

Body uniformly dark and usually without distinct markings. Juveniles may have yellowish caudal and pectoral

fins with some irregular white spots on body. Juveniles with a saddle-blotch on the caudal peduncle that does

not extend below lateral line (Robins et al., 1986). The warsaw grouper is the only grouper found in the western

central Atlantic with 10 dorsal spines instead of 11. Generally, the second dorsal spine is considerably longer

than the others in specimens greater than 40 cm (Bullock and Smith, 1991). Maximum size: 183 cm (264 kg).

Range: tropical and subtropical western Atlantic, from Massachusetts to Brazil, including the Caribbean and

the Gulf of Mexico. Large adults may be confused with jewfish; juveniles, with snowy or yellowedge groupers.

,-------------------------_..•-----------

Second spine on dorsal

fin much longer than

others

1 ---.-J

Figure 41

Warsaw grouper, Epinephelus

nigritus. Phase 1 of two, adult.

Figure 42

Warsaw grouper, Epinephelus

nigritus. Phase 2 of two, juvenile.
Grace et al.: Guide to Groupers of the Western North Atlantic 29

Snowy Grouper, Epinephelus niveatus

Figures 43 and 44

Adults light colored with dusky or faint spots in vertical rows along the head, body, and dorsal fin. Dark margin

on the spinous dorsal and dark moustache above the maxilla usually visible. Juveniles with brown or dark gray

body, distinct white spots arranged in vertical rows, and yellow caudal and pectoral fins. Juveniles with a saddle~

blotch on caudal peduncle that extends below lateral line; saddle-blotch less distinct or absent in adults.

Posterior nostril 3 to 5 times larger than anterior nostril. Maximum size: 91 em. Range: western Atlantic, from

Massachusetts to Brazil. Juveniles can be confused with juvenile yellowedge groupers.

Dark margin ---+,j~

Figure 43

Snowy grouper, Epinephelus niveatus. Phase 1

of two, adult.

Figure 44

Snowy grouper, Epinephelus niveatus. Phase 2

of two, juvenile.
30 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 118

Nassau Grouper, Epinephelus striatus

Figures 45-47

Body varies from almost completely white to almost totally black. Head and body with 5-6 dark olive brown

vertical bars. Dark dots and spots present around eye. Saddle-blotch above lateral line sometimes obscured by

dark bar. Third and fourth bars on posterior half of body often connected with a horizontal band. Dull yellow

margins may be present on anal and caudal fins. Tips of spinous dorsal may be yellow. Usually a distinct band,

shaped like a tuning-fork, begins on the snout and extends towards the dorsal-fin origin. In addition, the head

may have an oblique bar that originates on the snout and extends through the eye towards the dorsal-fin origin.

A countershaded spawning phase has been reported.6 Third dorsal spine longest. Maximum size: 91 em (25 kg).

Range: western Atlantic, from Bermuda to the north coast of South America, including most of the Caribbean

and the Gulf of Mexico. Juveniles may be found in seagrass beds (Randall, 1968). May be confused with the red

and misty groupers.

Third dorsal spine longest

Saddle-blotch

Figure 45

Nassau grouper, Epinephelus striatus. Phase 1

of two, adult.

Figure 46

Nassau grouper, Epinephelus striatus. Front

view, adult.

6 Bush, P., Natural Resources Unit, Cayman Islands, British West

Indies. Personal commun., November 1992.
Grace et al.: Guide to Groupers of the Western North Atlantic 31

Figure 47

Nassau grouper, Epinephelus striatus. Phase 2

of two, adult, countershaded spawning

phase. Drawn from a photograph (see text

footnote 6).
32 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 118

Spanish Flag, Gonioplectrus hispanus

Figure 48

Body yellow with 6-8 dusky pink stripes on body and another stripe along dorsal fin. Dorsal fin yellow with a

horizontal stripe. Anal fin with a large red blotch at base. Dark dots and spots (freckling) may be present along

the body. 7 Belly with a white blotch between pelvic and anal fins. A broad opercular spine usually extends to and

sometimes beyond opercular margin. Compared with other groupers, its body appears deeper and less tapered

between soft dorsal and anal fins. Maximum size: 31 cm. Range: western North Atlantic, from North Carolina to

Venezuela, including most of the eastern Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.

White blotch

7 Rohr, B., U.S. Dep. Commer., NOAA, NMFS, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Pascagoula, MS, unpuh!. manuscr.

Figure 48

Spanish flag, Gonioplectrus hispanus. Phase 1 of

one, adult. Drawn from a photograph (see

text footnote 7).
Grace et aI.: Guide to Groupers of the Western North Atlantic 33

Comb Grouper, Mycteroperca acutirostris

Figure 49

Body reddish brown or gray with white spots, blotches, and broken horizontal dark stripes and bands. Dark or

dusky stripes radiate from eye. May have a pale stripe that begins on the snout and continues toward the dorsalfin origin. Light spots on fins. Some adults uniformly gray. Markings boldest in young. Caudal-fin shape

changes from truncate to emarginate to concave as the fish matures (Randall, 1968). Maximum size: 61 em.

Range: western Atlantic, from Bermuda to Brazil, including the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Figure 49

Comb grouper, Mycteroperca acutirostris. Phase 1 of one, adult.
34 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 118

Black Grouper, Mycteroperca bonaci

Figure 50

Body varies from light tan to reddish black or very pale. Head and body with rectangular blotches dorsally and

hexagonal bronze spots on the head and along the ventral side. Dark or dusky bands composed of small spots

radiate from eye. Soft dorsal, caudal, and anal fins have submarginal black or dark blue bands with narrow white

margins. Pectoral fin with pale orange or yellow margin. Juveniles are similar to adults but with lighter

markings. Preopercle is rounded and without a distinct notch. Maximum size: 122 cm (82 kg). Range: central

western Atlantic, from Massachusetts and south from Bermuda to Brazil, including the West Indies, Caribbean,

and Gulf of Mexico.

Rectangular blotches

Figure 50

Black grouper, Mycteroperca bonaei.

Phase 1 of one, adult.
Grace et al.: Guide to Groupers of the Western North Atlantic 35

White Grouper, Mycteroperca cidi

Figure 51

Body with dusky spots forming broken bands and blotches. Often nearly white when first landed. Some adults

uniformly brown. Young specimens generally gray or greenish brown and may have irregular brown spots on

body. Soft dorsal and anal fins may have dark submarginal bands with white margins. Soft dorsal, caudal, and

soft anal fins sometimes with elongate rays extending past margin. Caudal fin in juveniles emarginate. Distinct

notch on preopercle above serrated lobe at angle. Maximum size: 114 em. Range: western Atlantic, along the

coast of Venezuela and the southern West Indies. May be confused with the scamp and yellowmouth grouper.

Species account compiled from Cervigon and Valasquez (1966), Randall (1968), and Smith (1978).

Figure 51

White grouper, Mycteroperca cidi. Phase 1 of

one, adult. Drawn in part from a photograph

(Cervigon and Valasquez, 1966).
36 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 118

Yellowmouth Grouper, Mycteroperca interstitialis

Figures 52-56

Body brown with numerous dusky spots that form broken bands and blotches along head and body. These

bands and blotches may form a series of wide bars that extend along the upper half of the body. Blotches

occasionally very dark and rectangular, arranged horizontally along head, body, and dorsal fin (Humann,

1989). Dorsal, caudal, anal, and pectoral fins typically with a yellow or white margin. In juveniles the body may

be sharply countershaded (black dorsally and cream-colored ventrally) and the tip of the lower jaw may have a

black spot. Juveniles may also exhibit a spotting pattern similar to adults but with a dark spot at the upper

caudal-fin base (Bullock and Smith, 1991). Yellow area inside and at corners of the mouth. In adults the soft

dorsal, anal, and caudal fins may have elongate fin rays; in the caudal fin, elongate rays are usually uniform in

length. Caudal fin emarginate or slightly convex. Angle of preopercle with serrated lobe and distinct notch

above. Maximum size: 76 cm (18 kg). Range: central western Atlantic, from Bermuda to Brazil, including the

southern Gulf of Mexico and West Indies. Juveniles may be confused with the scamp and white grouper.

Figure 52

Yellowmouth grouper, Myeteroperea interstitialis. Phase 1 offive,

adult with spots forming bands.

Blotches form

bar pattern

Figure 53

Yellowmouth grouper, Myeteroperea interstitialis. Phase 2 of five,

adult with bar pattern.
Grace et al.: Guide to Groupers of the Western North Atlantic 37

Emarginate

caudal fin

Figure 54

Yellowmouth grouper, Myetltmperea

interstitialis. Phase 3 of five, adult

with dark blotches. Redrawn from

Humann (1989).

Figure 55

Yellowmouth grouper, Myeteroperea intffstitialis. Phase 4 of five,

countershaded juvenile.

Figure 56

Yellowmouth grouper, Myeteroperea

intffstitialis. Phase 5 of five, juvenile. Drawn from a photograph

(Bullock and Smith, 1991).
38 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 118

Gag, Mycteroperca microlepis

Figures 57 and 58

Body usually brownish to olive gray or sometimes dark gray. Dark or dusky stripes and bands radiate from eye.

Numerous ocellated blotches ("kiss marks"), which may be faint in some specimens. Gilmore andJones (1992)

observed specimens with five brown saddle-blotches along the dorsal-fin base. Soft dorsal, caudal, anal, and,

occasionally, pelvic fins with pale or white margins. Large adult males (66 kg) occasionally with dusky pigmentation on belly (Bullock and Smith, 1991). Other large adult males have been observed with dark pigmentation

in several areas: at the tip of the upper and lower jaw; along the body beneath the base of the soft dorsal fin to

the caudal peduncle; on the soft dorsal fin, belly, pelvic fins, and anal fin; and along the margins of the pectoral

and caudal fins (Gilmore and Jones, 1992). Lobe present at the angle of the preopercle. Maximum size: 122 cm

(25 kg), but smaller individuals <61 cm are more common. Range: western Atlantic, from Bermuda to Brazil,

including the Gulf of Mexico. Juveniles are reported to occur in seagrass beds.2

Figure 57

Gag, Mycteroperca microlepis. Phase

1 of two, adult.

Figure 58

Gag, Mycteroperca microlepis. Phase

2 of two. Redrawn from Gilmore

and Jones (1992).
Grace et al.: Guide to Groupers of the Western North Atlantic 39

Scamp, Mycteroperca phenax

Figures 59-62

Body light or dark brown depending on phase. Numerous spots along head and body form broken dusky bands

or rectangular blotches. Pectoral fins sometimes dark and may have light or dark narrow margins. Dark phase

may have dark rectangular blotches along head and body. A light phase is documented with a large dark blotch

that extends from the head towards the posterior edge of the soft dorsal and with a dark margin on the caudal

fin. A yellow wash in area of mouth is sometimes visible (Smith, 1971). Some adults have elongate rays on the

soft dorsal, anal, and caudal fins referred to as a "broom tail." Elongate caudal-fin rays are generally longest at

the upper and lower caudal-fin tips. Caudal fin truncate or, occasionally, concave. Serrated lobe at angle of

preopercle. Maximum size: 61 em. Range: western Atlantic, from Massachusetts to the north coast of South

America, including the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. May be confused with yellowmouth and white groupers.

Bands and blotches

Figure 59

Scamp, Mycteroperca phenax.

Phase 1 of four, adult.

Figure 60

Scam p, Mycteroperca phenax.

Phase 2 offour, adult, light phase

with elongate rays.
40 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 118

Figure 61

Scamp, Mycteroperca phenax. Phase

3 offour, adult, dark phase.

Figure 62

Scamp, Mycteroperca phenax. Phase

4 of four, adult, light phase with

dark blotch.
Grace et at.: Guide to Groupers of the Western North Atlantic 41

Tiger Grouper, Mycteroperca tigris

Figures 63-66

Body varies from gray, dark brown, black, to sometimes bright red (Humann, 1989). Head and body with

hexagonal spots and 9-11 oblique or vertical bars. Pectoral fin with orange or yellow margin. Spinous dorsal-fin

tips may be yellow. Adults with soft dorsal, caudal, and anal fins often with dark margins. A male reproductive

phase with diffuse vertical bars and the ventral-posterior region with a broad pale blotch has been reported at a

spawning aggregation.sJuveniles may be bright yellow with a horizontal dark band or with oblique or vertical

bars and a few dark spots; large adults may have elongate rays on soft dorsal, caudal, and anal fins (Bullock and

Smith, 1991). Canine teeth large. Angle of preopercle rounded. Eight gill rakers on the lower limb separates

the tiger grouper from other Mycteroperca species. Maximum size: 102 cm (44 kg). Range: western Atlantic, from

Bermuda to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico, the Bay of Campeche (Mexico), and the West Indies.

Elongate rays

Figure 63

Tiger grouper, Mycteroperca tigris.

Phase 1 of four, adult.

Figure 64

Tiger grouper, Mycteroperca tigris.

Phase 2 of four, male reproductive phase at a spawning aggregation. Drawn from a photograph

(see text footnote 8).

8 Sadovy, Y, P. Colin, and M. Domeier, Caribbean Fishery Management Council, HalO Rey, Puerto Rico, unpub!. manuscr.
42 NOAA Technical Report NMFS liS

Figure 65

Tiger grouper, Mycteroperca tigris.

Phase 3 of four, yellow juvenile.

Drawn from a photograph (Bullock and Smith, 1991)

Figure 66

Tiger grouper, Mycteroperca tigris.

Phase 4 of four, juvenile with

bars. Drawn from a photograph

(Bullock and Smith, 1991).
Grace et al.: Guide to Groupers of the Western North Atlantic 43

Yellowfin Grouper, Mycteroperca venenosa

Figures 67 and 68

Body color and spotting patterns highly variable, with specimens colored gray, olive, red, or, sometimes, almost

black. Head and body covered with many oval or "peanut-shaped" blotches and with numerous small dark red

or orange spots superimposed throughout. Pectoral fin with broad yellow margin. Posterior sections of the

dorsal, caudal, anal, and, sometimes, pelvic fins dark or with dark submarginal bands and narrow white

margins. Preopercle smooth, without a distinct notch. Maximum size: 91 em (55 kg). Range: western Atlantic,

from Bermuda to Brazil, including the Bahamas, West Indies, and Gulf of Mexico.

Figure 67

Yellowfin grouper, Mycteroperca

venenosa. Phase 1 of two, adult,

light phase.

Figure 68

Yellowfin grouper, Mycteroperca

venenosa. Phase 2 of two, adult,

dark phase.
44 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 118

Creole-fish, Paranthias JurciJer

Figures 69 and 70

Body reddish brown with countershading dark dorsally and light ventrally. Usually three or four spots that may

be either white or dark behind the head and above the lateral line. May exhibit a series of irregular white

blotches along head and body. Caudal fin often with pale margin. Upper base of the pectoral fin with a distinct

red spot; interspinous membranes of the spinous dorsal with a series of yellowish spots. This grouper is

characterized by a deeply forked caudal fin. Known to form aggregations. Maximum size: 38 em. Range:

distributed in the western Atlantic from Bermuda to Brazil throughout the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.

Deeply forked caudal fin

\

Figure 69

Creole-fish, Paranthias furcifer.

Phase 1 of two, adult.

Figure 70

Creole-fish, Paranthias furcifer.

Phase 2 of two, adult.
Grace et al.: Guide to Groupers of the Western North Atlantic 45

Table 2

Meristic values for groupers (Serranidae) from the western North Atlantic.

Meristic Meristic

Species Values 1 Sources2 Species ValuesI Sources2

Mutton hamlet, D. XI, 16-19 7,9,10 Nassau grouper, D. XI, 16-18 5,7,9,10

Alphestes aJer A. lII, 8-9 Epinephelus striatus A. III, 8

Gr. 21-24 P.17-19

Graysby, D. IX, 13-15 1,5,6,7,9,10 Gr. 22-26

Cephalopholis cruentata A. III, 8 Spanish flag, D. VII-VIII, 13 1,3,5

Gr. 18-21 Gonioplectrus hispanus A. III, 7

Coney, D. IX, 14-16 1,6,7,9, 10 P. 16-17

Cephalopholis Julva A. III, 8-9 Gr. 20-24

P.18 Comb grouper, D. XI, 15-17 2,5,7,9, 10, 11

Gr. 23-27 Mycteroperca acutirostris A. III, 10-12

Marbled grouper, D. XI, 17-20 1,5,6,7,9,10 P.15-17

Dermatolepis inermis A. III, 8-10 Gr. 45-56

P. 18-19

Gr. 19-23 Black grouper, D. XI, 15-18 1,2,5,7,9, 10

Mycteroperca bonaci A. 1II, 10-13

Rock hind, D. XI, 16-17 1,5,6,7,8,9, 10 P.15-17

Epinephelus adscensionis A. lII, 8-9 Gr. 19-27

P.I8-19

Gr. 23-28 White grouper, D. XI, 14-17 2,6,7,9

Speckled hind, D. XI, 15-16 1,5,6,8,9,10 Mycteroperca cidi A.lII,10-12

P. 15-18 Epinephelus drummondhayi A. lII, 8-9 Gr. 26-35 P.17-18

Gr. 23 or 25-28 Yellowmouth grouper, D. XI, 15-18 1,2,7,9, 10

Yellowedge grouper, D. XI, 13-15 1,5,6,8,9,10 Mycteroperca interstitialis A.1II,11-12

Epinephelus Jlavolimbatus A. III, 8-9 P.I6-17

P. 17-19 Gr. 23-28

Gr. 23-26 Gag, D. XI, 16-19 1,5,9, 10

Red hind, D. XI, 15-17 1,5,7,9, 10 Mycteroperca microlepis A. lII, 10-12

Epinephelus guttatus A. lII, 8-9 P. 16-18

P.I6-17 Gr. 21-29

Gr. 24-28 Scamp, D. XI, 15-19 1,2,5,7

Jewfish, D. XI, 15-16 1,5,6,7,8,9,10 Mycteroperca phenax A. III, 10-12

Epinephelus itajara A. 1II, 8 P. 16-17

P.19 Gr. 22-31

Gr. 19 or 21-24

Dusky grouper, D. XI, 14-16 4,8,9, 11 Tiger grouper, D. XI, 16-17 1,2,7,9, 10

Mycteroperca tigris A. lII, 10-11

Epinephelus marginatus A. 111, 8 P. 16-17

P. 17-19 Gr. 8-15

Gr. 21-26

Red grouper, D. X-XI, 15-18 1,5,6,7,8,9, 10 Yellowfin grouper, D. XI, 15-17 1, 2, 6, 7, 9, 10

Epinephelus morio A. 111, 8-10 Mycteroperca venenosa A. III, 10-12

P. 16-17 P. 16-18

Gr. 23-27 Gr. 22-25

Misty grouper, D. XI, 13-15 1,8,9,10 Creole-fish, D. IX, 17-19 1,4,5,7,9

Epinephelus mystacinus A. III, 9 Paranthias JurciJer A. 111, 8-10

P.18-19 P. 19-21

Gr. 22-26 Gr. 35-41

Warsaw grouper, D. X, 13-15 1,5,6,8,9,10 I Abbreviations: D. =dorsal-fin rays, A. =anal-fin rays, P. =pectoral- Epinephelus nigritus A. 111,9 fin rays, and Gr. =gill rakers. Roman numerals indicate number of

P.18-19 fin spines; arabic numerals indicate number of either soft fin rays Gr. 21-25 or gill rakers. Gill raker counts include rudiments.

Snowy grouper, D. Xl, 13-16 1,5,6,8,9, 10 2 Sources: 1 =Bullock and Smith, 1991; 2 =Cervigon and Valasquez,

Epinephelus niveatus A. 111, 8-9 1966; 3 = Cervigon, 1971; 4 = Heemstra, 1991; 5 = Haese and

P.17-19 Moore, 1977; 6 =Matsuura, 1983; 7 =Randall, 1968; 8 =Rivas, 1964;

Gr. 22-27 9 =Smith, 1971; 10 =Smith, 1978; 11 =Smith, 1981.
46 NOAA Technical Report NMFS 118

Acknowledgments _

For their comments and reviews of the manuscript,

we thank Joanne Lyczkowski-Shultz, NMFS, Pascagoula; William J. Richards,Jim Bohnsack and Douglas Harper, NMFS, Miami; Michael Fraser, NMFS,

Silver Spring; Phil Heemstra,J.L.B. Smith Institute of

Ichthyology, South Africa; Yvonne Sadovy, Caribbean

Fishery Management Council, Puerto Rico; Chris

Koenig, Florida State University; George Burgess,

Florida State Museum of Natural History, University

of Florida; Lewis Bullock and Joe Kimmel, Florida

Marine Research Institute, St. Petersburg; Dick Waller,

Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Mississippi. During

the initial stages of assembling the guide, Scott

Nichols, April Jahncke, Karen Mitchell, Rosanne

Brasher, Deborah Sebastian, Warren Stuntz, Bennie

Rohr, and Eva Kargard, all of NMFS, Pascagoula,

provided valuable support and advice that was sincerely appreciated. This manuscript is dedicated in

memory of Mike Russell.

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