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Georgia Explorer
Yellowmouth grouper
(Mycteroperca interstitialis)
The yellowmouth grouper is a marine fish found in the western Atlantic from the Gulf of Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean Islands south to Brazil. It occurs mostly on rocky or coral bottoms from the shoreline to depths of about 180 feet. Smaller individuals inhabit lagoons lined with mangroves. This species of grouper can reach about 33 inches in length and weigh about 22 lbs.
The juvenile yellowmouth grouper have a color pattern and behavior that mimic the juvenile clown wrasse. This allows it to approach its prey more closely.
You can find the yellowmouth grouper hiding in the rocks at the bottom of the Gray’s Reef exhibit in the Georgia Explorer gallery.
Fun Facts
- The yellowmouth grouper is fished commercially.
- As with all grouper species, it is vulnerable to overfishing due to its slow growth rate, late sexual maturity and long life.
- It has a life span of about 41 years.
- This species spawns year-round in the Gulf of Mexico.
- The yellowmouth grouper can change gender from female to male.
- Download full fact sheet
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