Description: color highly
variable greenish olive or bright red with longitudinal rows of darker
black blotches over entire fish; outer one third of pectoral fins bright
yellow; lower parts of larger fish with small bright red spots.
Similar Fish: black
grouper, M. bonaci; other grouper.
Where found: OFFSHORE on
reefs off southern portions of Florida.
Size: common to 20
pounds.
*Florida Record: 34 lbs.,
6 ozs.
Remarks: undergoes sex
reversal from female to male in latter part of life; specific name
translates to "venomous," alluding to the fact that this fish,
perhaps more frequently than other groupers, is associated with ciguatera
poisoning; feeds on fish and squid.
* The Florida records
quoted are from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's
printed publication, Fishing
Lines and are not necessarily the most current ones. The records are
provided as only as a benchmark.
