Mycteroperca bonaci

Behavior:

Black grouper are one of the most abundant large groupers in Florida waters, but rarely seen. They tend to shy away from swimmers. Commercially fished in many places, their populations are generally declining as a result. They are solitary except when they congregate to spawn. Adults feed on smaller reef fish such as grunts and snapper.

Predators:

Sharks

Did you know?

Black groupers are sequential hermaphrodites, which means they begin life as females and some larger individuals become males. The transition usually occurs at between two and four feet in length or 11 and 14 years old. The overall sex ratio is generally one male for every four females.