Grouper & Sea Bass
Grouper
Epinephelus spp.
SaltwaterSerranidaeVaries by species; some are listed as vulnerable or endangered due to overfishing and habitat loss, while others are considered stable.
About
Groupers are stout-bodied fish with large mouths and small eyes. They are ambush predators, often lying in wait near reefs or rocky outcroppings to surprise their prey. Groupers are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they can change from female to male during their lifespan.
- Average size
- Varies greatly by species, ranging from 10 inches to over 8 feet and weights from a few pounds to over 800 pounds.
- Colors
- Highly variable depending on species; colors include brown, green, red, and black, often with spots or patterns.
- Diet
- Carnivorous; primarily feeds on fish, crustaceans (crabs, shrimp), and cephalopods (squid, octopus).
- Region
- Primarily found in the southeastern US, including Florida, and the Gulf of Mexico. Some species are found along the Atlantic coast as far north as North Carolina.
