The Yellowfin Grouper – Mycteroperca venenosa is a species of fish belonging to the family Serranidae. It is a large, predatory fish that is found in the western Atlantic Ocean.
Description & Characteristics
The Yellowfin Grouper – Mycteroperca venenosa is easily recognizable by its distinctive yellow fins, which give it its common name. It has a robust body with a large head and a wide mouth. The species can reach a maximum size of 100.0 cm. The body is covered in small, rough scales, and the color can vary from brown to reddish-brown, with darker blotches or bands.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Yellowfin Grouper – Mycteroperca venenosa is a demersal fish that inhabits rocky reefs and coral reefs in the western Atlantic Ocean. It can be found at depths ranging from 2.0 to 137.0 meters, with the most common range being between 10 and 60 meters. It is a common species in the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the southeastern United States.
Taxonomy
The species Mycteroperca venenosa belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Perciformes, and Family: Serranidae. It is part of the genus Mycteroperca which contains a large number of grouper species.
Feeding
The Yellowfin Grouper – Mycteroperca venenosa is a carnivorous fish that feeds on a variety of prey, including crustaceans like rock lobsters, rock shrimps, and shrimps, as well as fish, including small fish. They are known to be predatory and are an important part of the food web in their ecosystems. They are also known to feed on cephalopods like sepia.
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