Description: color tan or
brown with darker spots, or a network of spots, fused into lines; distinct
yellow wash behind the jaws; yellow around the eyes; outer edges of fins
yellowish.
Similar Fish: scamp, M.
phenax.
Where found: OFFSHORE
over reefs and rocks; not as common as scamp in the Gulf; range limited to
southern Florida.
Size: common to 15
pounds.
*Florida Record: 28 lbs.
Remarks: undergoes sex
reversal, young individuals female, older individuals becoming male; young
fish are bicolored, dark above white below; feeds on small fsh and
crustaceans.
* 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.
