Nassau grouper
📖 Overview
Occurs from the shoreline to at least 90 m depth. Usually close to caves . Juveniles are common in seagrass beds. Diet comprises mainly of fishes (54%) and crabs (23%) and lesser amounts of other crustaceans and mollusks. It is solitary and mainly diurnal; but may sometimes form schools. Spawns near the new moon with up to 30,000 aggregating at certain spawning sites . The least wary and most friendly of all the groupers . Heavily fished and vulnerable to overfishing, particularly when migrating or aggregating to spawn . The most important commercial grouper in the West Indies. Marketed fresh, mostly between 2 to 10 kg .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 11 - 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16 - 18; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Caudal fin rounded in juveniles. Dorsal fin notched between forward spines; 3rd or 4th spine the longest. Bases of soft dorsal and anal fins covered with scales and thick skin; scales small and greatly overlapping. Ground color tawny in individuals in shallow water, shading to pinkish or red in those from deeper water, sometimes with an orange cast. Can change color pattern in a few minutes from almost white to uniformly dark brown depending on mood. Third and fourth vertical bars branch above lateral line forming a W-shaped mark. Several distinct black spots below and behind eye and a characteristic `tuning-fork shaped stripe on top of head, dividing just behind the orbits. (see also Refs. 5221, 5222, 5227 and 2458).: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Nassau grouper is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Nassau grouper is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Most males and females display a bicolored pattern during spawning. Courtship behavior involves vertical spiral movement, short vertical runs followed by rapid aggregation then rapid dispersal and horizontal runs near the bottom. Sex reversal reportedly between 30 and 80 cm SL. Some primary males found recently . Protogyny was assumed in old literature, but dioecism (gonochorism) has been demonstrated. Pelagic spawner .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; oceanodromous ; depth range 1 - 90 m . Tropical; 35°N - 34°S, 92°W - 34°W known from the Gulf of Mexico except at the Campeche Bank off the coast of Yucatan, at Tortugas and off Key West.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Nassau grouper is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.4 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 106 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Nassau grouper has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Mutton Grouper · Nassau grouper · hamlet |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Nassau-koralbars |
| 🇩🇪German | Nassau-Zackenbarsch |
| 🇫🇷French | Mérou rayé, Mérou de Nassau · Vieille · mérou rayé |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Nassaubaars · Nassautandbaars |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | garoupa · garoupa-de-nassau · garoupa-de-trindade · garoupa-pintada · garoupa-trindade · mero-crioulo |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Бурополосая черна |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Cherna · cherna criolla · mero del Caribe |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 拿騷石斑魚 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthias cherna | Bloch & Schneider | 1801 | Synonym |
| Anthias striatus | Bloch | 1792 | Synonym |
| Holocentrus decussatus | Shaw | 1803 | Synonym |
| Holocentrus epinephelus | Lacepède | 1802 | Synonym |
| Lutjanus plumierii | Lacepède | 1802 | Synonym |
| Perca reticulata | Walbaum | 1792 | Synonym |
| Serranus gymnopareius | Valenciennes | 1828 | Synonym |
| Serranus striatus | Bloch | 1792 | Synonym |
| Sparus chrysomelanus | Lacepède | 1802 | Synonym |
| Sparus chrysomelas | Lacepède | 1802 | Synonym |
| Sparus semifasciatus | Shaw | 1803 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 47 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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