Yellowfin grouper (Mycteroperca venenosa)

Scientific name: Mycteroperca venenosa Linnaeus, 1758

The Yellowfin grouper (Mycteroperca venenosa) is a marine fish of the family Serranidae. Native range: Western Atlantic, Bermuda, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean south to Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Biology

Adults found on rocky and coral reefs, juveniles occur in shallow turtle grass beds. Also been taken in trawls over mud bottom in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Feeds mainly on fishes (mostly on coral reef species) and squids. Although often implicated in ciguatera poisonings, it is a desirable food fish; and even large (5 to 10 kg) fish from areas considered safe are sold in markets. Also caught with surface trolling. Sex-reversal has been observed.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Mycteroperca venenosa
Family: Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 100.0
Common length: 50.0
Depth range: 2–137 m (7–449 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 137 m, usually 5 - 35 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Western Atlantic: Bermuda, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean south to Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Conservation status (IUCN): Near Threatened (NT), IUCN Grouper and Wrasse Specialist Group
Threat to humans: Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Uses: Fisheries: highly commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.09-0.17; tmax=15; Fec=400,000)