Name/Relations || Range/Sizes || Habitat & Habits ||  Notes

	Look for 'kiss' marks

Common Name: Gag Grouper
Other Common Names:  black grouper, gag
Scientific name: Mycteroperca microlepis
Family:  Serranidae (Sea Basses)
Related Species:  Black Grouper, Red Grouper, Yellowmouth Grouper

Sizes:   Due to confusion w/Black Grouper, maximum sizes are uncertain, but believed to be over 90lbs (IGFA-80.6lbs), far more common 5lbs-15lbs.

Habitat:  Smaller grouper live inshore over shallow reefs and in estuaries, in particular around jetties, wrecks, piers, and bridges.  As they mature they move offshore to deeper wrecks and reefs, from 60 feet to 300 feet+ .

Spawning Habits:  Spawns offshore in reefs and wrecks from 30 feet to 200 feet in depth, especially around the sea mounts off of western Florida in early spring. The eggs hatch and young hang near the surface and around vegetation, eventually taking residence inshore (see above).

Feeding Habits:  If it moves and fits in its mouth, it is dinner.  An occasional cruiser, but primarily an ambush predator, that lurks in or near structure.  When a food item (mostly fishes) approaches, the grouper darts out and engulfs it, then retreats to its den.  Will also eat freshly dead fishes if they are presented near its lair.

Notes:  The grouper, like other groupers, can be extremely long lived, and very large specimens (over 40 lbs) can be over 30 years old.  Once a very large grouper is taken, it will be a while before nature can replace it.  This grouper is a very popular target among bottom anglers, often taken while deep trolling large plugs slowly, or by dropping large live baits such as blue runners, vermilion snappers, bonito, and mullet on very heavy bottom  finder or egg weight rigs in deep water directly on top of reefs.  This fish can also change colors, adding to confusion when identifying it, but the best dead giveaways are the 'kiss' markings along its flanks.  Excellent table fare if between 10 lbs -20 lbs.