Mycteroperca bonaci (Poey, 1860)
Black grouper
Mycteroperca bonaci
photo by Randall, J.E.

 Family:  Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets), subfamily: Epinephelinae
 Max. size:  150 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 100 kg
 Environment:  reef-associated; depth range - 250 m
 Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Bermuda and Massachusetts, USA to southern Brazil, including the southern Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. Adults are unknown from the northeastern coast of the USA.
 Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-17; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 11-13. Distinguished by the following characteristics: Side body has rectangular dark gray blotches. Outer third of second dorsal, anal and caudal fins black. Edge of preopercle smooth, without pronounced lobe at angle; 17-24 total gill rakers (Ref. 26938); depth of body 3.3-3.5 times in SL; head length 2.5-2.8 times in SL; evenly rounded preopercle, without distinct notch or lobe at the angle; subequal sizes of anterior and posterior nostrils (Ref. 89707).
 Biology:  A solitary species (Ref. 26340) inhabiting rocky and coral reefs (Ref. 9710). Adults feed primarily on fishes; juveniles mainly on crustaceans. Oviparous (Ref. 205). A protogynous hermaphrodite (Ref. 55367). Forms spawning aggregations (Ref. 55367). Common but difficult to approach (Ref. 9710). Marketed fresh and its flesh is of excellent quality.
 IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened  (Ref. 96402) , IUCN Grouper and Wrasse Specialist Group
 Threat to humans:  reports of ciguatera poisoning
 Country info:   
 

 Entered by: Luna, Susan M. - 17.10.90
 Modified by: Valdestamon, Roxanne Rei - 27.10.13
 Checked by: Capuli, Estelita Emily - 28.04.94

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