Yellowfin grouper (Mycteroperca venenosa)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Mycteroperca venenosa
- Common name
- Yellowfin grouper
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Epinephelidae
- Genus
- Mycteroperca
- Size
- 50–100 cm
- Depth
- 2–137 m
- IUCN status
- Near threatened (NT)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef
- Behaviours
- solitary, predator
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Mycteroperca venenosa reaches 100 cm and 18 kg. Large Caribbean grouper with yellow-brown to olive body covered with distinctive small red-pink spots (hence venenosa, by confusion with venomous species). Posterior edge of fins often yellow. Lives from 2 to 137 m on coral reefs of Caribbean and tropical western Atlantic. Listed NT by IUCN following overfishing for consumption. Pelagic ambush predator. Strong propensity to ciguatera (toxin accumulated in flesh, dangerous). Regulated fishery. Iconic photo subject of Caribbean dives.
Photo of Yellowfin grouper
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Yellowfin grouper?
- Yellowfin grouper (Mycteroperca venenosa) reaches 50–100 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Yellowfin grouper?
- Yellowfin grouper is found between 2–137 m deep.
- Is the Yellowfin grouper dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Yellowfin grouper?
- IUCN status: Near threatened (NT).
- Where can you find the Yellowfin grouper?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Mycteroperca
- Mycteroperca tigris - Tiger grouper
- Mycteroperca fusca - Island grouper
- Mycteroperca rosacea - Leopard grouper
- Mycteroperca rubra - Mottled grouper
- Mycteroperca xenarcha - broomtail grouper
- Mycteroperca prionura - sawtail grouper
Other species in the family Epinephelidae
- Epinephelus marginatus - Dusky grouper
- Epinephelus striatus - Nassau grouper
- Cephalopholis fulva - Coney
- Cephalopholis cruentata - Graysby
- Epinephelus fasciatus - Blacktip grouper
- Epinephelus costae - Golden grouper
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 273885)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2389034)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia