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Yellowfin Grouper
Yellowfin Grouper
Mycteroperca venenosa Family Serranidae, SE
Descriptioncolor highly greenish olive or bright red with longitudinal rows or darker black blotches over entire fish; outer one-third of pectoral fins bright yellow; lower parts of larger fish with small bright red spots.
Similar fish: black grouper, M. bonaci; other grouper.
Normally found: OFFSHORE on reefs off southern portions of Florida.
Size: common to 20 pounds.
Remarks: undergoes sex change from female to male in latter part of life; specific name translates to “venomous,” alluding to the fact that this fish, perhaps more frequently than other groupers, is associated with ciguatera poisoning; feeds on fish and squid.
Catching InfoFlorida record:
34 lbs., 6 ozs.
Key Largo Dec. 7, 1988
Roy Hogrebe
SeasonsJan, Feb, Mar, Apr
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