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Grouper (Mycteroperca jordani) — Serranidae

Grouper

Mycteroperca jordani
Family: Serranidae
EN · Endangered

The Grouper (Mycteroperca jordani) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 198 cm.

Length
198 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; rocky reefs and kelp forests.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The gulf grouper is a large grouper (Epinephelidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species has a robust, grey-brown body that becomes fairly plain in older animals. Adults live on rocky reefs and in kelp forests; juveniles are seldom seen. As an ambush hunter it preys on fishes and crustaceans. Owing to heavy fishing pressure and its vulnerability at spawning sites the species is considered endangered. It is a food fish and harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Grouper?

The Grouper has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Large protogynous reef ambush predator of kelp forests; threatened by fishing.

Where does the Grouper live?

The Grouper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Eastern Pacific; rocky reefs and kelp forests.

How big does the Grouper get?

The Grouper grows to a maximum of about 198 cm.

Is the Grouper dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Grouper edible?

Yes, the Grouper is commonly eaten.

More photos

Grouper (Mycteroperca jordani) — Serranidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Vince Golder, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Grouper (Mycteroperca jordani) — Serranidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Arturo Velasco, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Grouper (Mycteroperca jordani) — Serranidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Arturo Velasco, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Grouper (Mycteroperca jordani) — Serranidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Martin Gil Gallo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Grouper verified
Scientific name
Mycteroperca jordani
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Gulf grouper verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
198.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain 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)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; rocky reefs and kelp forests. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Large protogynous reef ambush predator of kelp forests; threatened by 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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