YELLOWFIN GROUPER – Mycteroperca venenosa
Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER
Description: color 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.
Where found: OFFSHORE
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.
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