(Valenciennes, 1828); SERRANIDAE FAMILY;
also called garoupa-de-São Tomé, cherna
Americana, cherna de vivero, mero paracamo,
mero
This fish occurs in the western Atlantic
from North Carolina to southern Brazil,
including the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and
Bermuda with strays occurring as far north
as Massachusetts. Juveniles may be found in
shallow water, but adults are mainly found
resting in potholes on, or edges close to
rocky, flat bottoms in depths up to 1000 ft
(305 m). Red grouper rarely occur around
coral reefs.
Color is variable and can change, however
the head and body are generally dark brown
with a reddish cast, shading to pink or
reddish below, with pale poorly defined pale
areas and small black spots around the eye.
The lining of the mouth varies from scarlet
to orange. The soft dorsal, caudal and anal
fins are dark with narrow white edges. This
species is distinguished from Nassau grouper
by its lack of a black saddle spot on the
top of the tail just behind the dorsal fin
and its straight first dorsal fin.
Like other grouper, the red is usually
caught while bottom fishing with cut or live
bait. Unlike other grouper that are
associated with reefs, reds can be taken on
relatively light tackle. Red grouper is one
of the most important species of fish caught
off the coast of Florida, the Campeche Bank
and Yucatan Peninsula.
While not as highly rated in food value as
some others groupers, the red grouper is
still considered fine table fare.
