Gary's Seafood Specialties

"Famous By Word Of Mouth"

Florida Seafood

Catfish, Lake Okeechobee - Clams, Cedar Key - Cobia - Crabs, Florida Stone Crabs - Dolphin - Escolar - Flounder - Frog Legs - Golden Tile - Grouper, Black - Grouper, Red - Grouper, Scamp - Grouper, Snowy - Grouper, Wreck - Grouper, Yellow Edge - Kingfish - Lobster, Spiny Lobster - Mahimahi - Pompano - Sheephead - Shrimp, Head On, Fresh - Shrimp, Rock Shrimp - Snapper, Atlantic Lane - Snapper, Beeliner - Snapper, Brazilian - Snapper, Dog - Snapper, Genuine American Red - Snapper, Hog - Snapper, Mangrove - Snapper, Margate - Snapper, Mutton - Snapper, Porgy - Snapper, Yelloweye - Snapper, Yellow Tail - Sturgeon, Mote Marine Aquarium - Swordfish - Tuna, Albacore - Tuna, Bluefin - Tuna, Yellowfin - Trigger Fish - Tripletail - Wahoo

Click Here For a Chart Of Availability

(Everything is subject to government regulations and weather)

Black Grouper

Mycteroperca Bonaci

Black Grouper has several other common names including: Rockfish, Marbled Rockfish, Runner and Springer. They are often confused with the Gag Grouper, although similar; this other species of Grouper is slightly different. There is no official size record in the state of Florida for Black Grouper due to the confusion in species of Grouper.

Grouper can be found as far north as Massachusetts, over to Bermuda and as far south as Brazil. They are found in the greatest numbers in The Gulf of Mexico of south Florida and the Caribbean Sea.

Black Grouper can reach enormous size. They can grow to well over 4’, and weigh in excess of 180#. Most Black Grouper that are harvested are about 2’ in length. Black groupers can live up to 30 years but, most of the growth takes place during the first 10 years of life. Commercial Black Grouper comes mainly from marine fisheries rather than fish farms.

Juvenile fish like to hide in shallow, grassy bottoms, where they feed on a diet of crustaceans. As they grow older, they move out into the open sea and seek the safety of reefs and rocky bottoms. Black Grouper live in fairly deep water ranging from 19-108 feet. As adults, they eat a diet of grunts, snapper, herring and crustaceans.

Black grouper have high concentrations of mercury. It is suggested that normal people not consume more than 2 three ounce portions per month. Pregnant women should avoid this fish altogether.

Black Grouper are all protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they are all born as females. When they reach a length around 39-48”, some of the fish become male.

This species is, without doubt, over fished, and much of the genetic characteristics of the fish do not help its cause. Black Grouper become reproductively active between November – May. Unfortunately, when they mate, they congregate in large groups, making their demise quite easy for commercial fishermen. In addition, by law, if you are fishing for sport, a Black Grouper must be at least 22” to “keep,” and 24” if you are a commercial fisherman. Sadly, Black Grouper do not reach sexual maturity until they reach 28”; so much of the population is being harvested before it has a chance to reproduce.

Predators include the sandbar shark, hammerhead shark, barracuda and moray eels.

Chefs like Black Grouper, as the flesh is usually free of parasites. Black Grouper occasionally get parasites in the flesh; however the trematodes, cestodes and nematodes affect their mouths and digestive tracts.

Black Grouper is an excellent eating fish. It can be prepared in a number of different ways, including grilling, sautéing, braising, pan-searing and roasting. The price of Black Grouper has continued to rise over the last decade, but the demand from customers is still very strong.

Click Here For A "Printer Friendly" Version