The grouper is a large tropical fish belonging lo the sea bass family,
Serranidae. The stout body is covered with small scales; the wide mouth bounded by thick, protruding lips. There are numerous species of groupers, some of the larger species weighing from 50 to 600 pounds. They are found in all tropical seas and are not only valuable food fishes but excellent game fishes. Among the more familiar groupers are the rock hind,
Epinephelus adscensionis; Ihe Nassau grouper,
E. striatus; the red grouper,
E. moria; the spotled grouper or jewfish,
Promicrops itaiara, and the black grouper,
Mycteroperca bonaci.
