Yellowmouth Grouper

Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER
Mycteroperca interstitialis

Description: color tan or brown with darker spots, or a network of spots, fused into lines; distinct yellow wash behind the jaws; yellow around the eyes; outer edges of fins yellowish.

Similar Fish: scamp, M. phenax .

Where found: OFFSHORE over reefs and rocks; not as common as scamp in the Gulf; range limited to southern Florida.

Size: common to 15 pounds.

*Florida Record: 28 lbs.

Remarks: undergoes sex reversal, young individuals female, older individuals becoming male; young fish are bicolored, dark above white below; feeds on small fsh and crustaceans.

*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.