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Field guide to marine inhabitants - Fishes
Photo Courtesy of Chad
Macfie
Nassau Grouper
Prepared by:
Jessica Tokarz |
Epinephelus
striatus |
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Range: The
Nassau Grouper inhabits coral reefs and seagrass beds in
shallow waters less than 100ft (30m) in depth. Juveniles
are found closer inshore within seagrass beds which act
as protective nursery habitat. In the western Atlantic,
the Nassau Grouper ranges from Bermuda to Florida and
the Bahamas, as well as the Caribbean Sea south to
Brazil.
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Similar Species: The Black Grouper is similar in appearance to the Nassau Grouper. However,
the Nassau Grouper is distinguished from the Black
Grouper by the black saddle on its caudal peduncle
region.
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Black Saddle of
Nassau Grouper
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Identification:
The
Nassau Grouper is a large, oblong fish with coarse,
spiny fins. Members of this species are usually tan or
gray with wide, irregular dark brown stripes running
from the dorsal to ventral surface on each side of the
body. There exists some variation in coloration pattern
among individuals, as some may have irregular pale spots
on the head and body. The Nassau Grouper also exhibits
distinguishing black spots around the eyes and a black
saddle on the caudal peduncle region. The caudal fin is
round in juveniles and convex in adults.
Note:
When threatened, the Nassau Grouper will camouflage itself in order to
blend in with the surrounding rocks and corals, making
it more difficult for predators to spot. Nassau
Grouper is also commonly seen participating in
symbiotic behavior with cleaner wrasse where the
Nassau Grouper allows the cleaner wrasse to remove
parasites and dead tissues from its gills and body.
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