Scamp

Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER
Mycteroperca phenax

Description: color light gray or brown; large adults with elongated caudal-fin rays; reddish brown spots on sides that tend to be grouped into lines; some yellow around corners of mouth.

Similar Fish: yellowmouth grouper, M. interstitialis .

Where found: NEARSHORE reefs off the northeastern coast, and on OFFSHORE reefs in the Gulf.

Size: generally smaller than gags or blacks.

*Florida Record: 28 lbs.

Remarks: spawns in late spring; feeds on small fish, squid, and crustaceans; undergoes sex transformation from female to male as it becomes older.

*The Florida records quoted are from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and are not necessarily the most current ones. The records are provided as only as a benchmark.