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Blake (Mycteroperca interstitialis) — Serranidae

Blake

Mycteroperca interstitialis
Family: Serranidae
VU · Vulnerable

The Blake (Mycteroperca interstitialis) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 84 cm.

Length
84 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–150.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic; rocky and coral bottoms.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The yellowmouth grouper is a grouper (Epinephelidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species has an elongate, brownish-grey body with a fine dark speckling and yellowish margins on the mouth and fins. It occurs mainly on rocky and coral bottoms, from the shoreline to at least fifty-five metres depth. As an ambush hunter it preys mainly on fishes. Owing to fishing pressure it is considered vulnerable. Large specimens may carry ciguatera, but the living fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blake?

The Blake has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Yellowish mouth and fin margins; protogynous reef ambush predator, vulnerable to fishing.

Where does the Blake live?

The Blake lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic; rocky and coral bottoms.

How big does the Blake get?

The Blake grows to a maximum of about 84 cm. On average the species is around 40 cm.

Is the Blake dangerous to humans?

No, the Blake is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Blake edible?

Yes, the Blake is commonly eaten.

More photos

Blake (Mycteroperca interstitialis) — Serranidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Luke Foster, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blake (Mycteroperca interstitialis) — Serranidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Williams, J. T.; Carpenter, K. E.; Van Tassell, J. L.; Hoetjes, P.; Toller, W.; Etnoyer, P.; Smith, M. (CC BY 2.5)
Blake (Mycteroperca interstitialis) — Serranidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Emma Hickerson, NOAA FGBNMS Research Coordinator. (Public domain)
Blake (Mycteroperca interstitialis) — Serranidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) craigjhowe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Blake verified
Scientific name
Mycteroperca interstitialis
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Blake; Crossband rockfish; Grey mannock; Hamlet; Yellowmouth grouper; Scamp; Princess rockfish; Salmon rockfish; Harlequin rockfish; Rockfish; Salmon grouper; Salmon rock fish verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
84.0 verified
Average length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
150.0 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic; rocky and coral bottoms. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Mainly fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
41.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Yellowish mouth and fin margins; protogynous reef ambush predator, vulnerable to fishing. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Mycteroperca

More from the family Serranidae

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