Scamp grouper

Scamp grouper
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Serranidae
Genus: Mycteroperca
Species: M. phenax
Binomial name
Mycteroperca phenax
(Jordan & Swain, 1884)
Synonyms
  • Lepomis phenax (Jordan)
  • Mycteroperca falcata

The scamp grouper (Mycteroperca phenax) is a protogynous grouper also known as the brown grouper or abadejo. It is normally found in reef over ledges and high-relief rocky bottoms in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and at low-profile bottoms at depths of 30 to 100 m in North Carolina. Juveniles can be found as far north as Massachusetts in shallow water at jetties and mangrove areas. This species was the most abundant grouper in areas of living Oculina coral formations at depths of 70 to 100m off the east coast of Florida. The scamp grouper apparently moves inshore when bottom temperature falls below 8.6°C. Commonly, the scamp is about 30cm long, which makes it a relatively small member of the groupers, but a specimen has been reported at 107 cm. [2]

The fish's overall coloration is a deep tan or chocolate brown, with numerous darker markings that form dots, or lines, or groups of lines. [3]

Fishing

The scamp is a popular game and commercial fish and is high prized among the grouper family. Its meat is white in color, sweet in taste and has excellent food value. [3]

References

  1. ↑ Rocha, L., McGovern, J.C., Craig, M.T., Choat, J.H., Ferreira, B., Bertoncini, A.A. & Craig, M. (2008). Mycteroperca phenax. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 23 Jun 2011.
  2. ↑ Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2011). "Mycteroperca phenax" in FishBase. 6 2011 version.
  3. 1 2 "Scamp grouper". allfishingbuy.com. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
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