Black Grouper Characteristics

Physical Description

• The black grouper measures up to 52 inches long. It has a lower jaw that protrudes beyond the upper jaw. The dorsal fin consists of 11 spines with 15 to 17 soft rays. Pectoral fins have 16 to 17 rays, and anal fins have 3 spines with 11 to 13 soft rays. According to the Florida Museum of Natural History, "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."

Habitat

• Black grouper is typically found near rocky ocean bottoms and coral reefs. A solitary species that does not form schools, black groupers live at a depth of 19 to 250 feet. Occasionally, juveniles inhabit seagrass beds off of the Florida coast.

Diet

• Black groupers mostly feed on reef and rock fishes such as snapper, grunts and herrings. Adult groupers may use their powerful jaws and sizable teeth to feed on crustaceans. Juvenile groupers don't feed on other fish. Instead, they only feed on crustaceans.

Reproduction and Growth

• All black groupers are born as females. Animals that have the same sex configuration are known as protogynous hermaphrodites. When the fish are mature enough, some change to males so that reproduction is possible. According to the Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, "Eggs are pelagic and hatch into larvae having greatly elongated, serrated spines. In groupers, the second dorsal fin spine as well as a pelvic fin spine extend outward to discourage predation on larvae." Growth of the black grouper is fast during the first 10 years, but then slows down significantly. These fish can live for over 30 years.