Genus: Epinephelus, Common Grouper, Groupers, Conies, Cabrillas

EPINEPHELUS

GROUPERS, CONIES, CABRILLAS

Body robust, oblong, compressed, deepest at origin of dorsal fin; rear of top jaw exposed when mouth closed, without bony knob at lower rear corner; teeth depressible; sides of roof of mouth with teeth; operculum edge with 3 flat spines; preoperculum serrate, with larger serrae at angle; pectoral fin symmetrically rounded; dorsal fin IX-XI, 12-19, length of base of soft part not longer than that of spiny part; anal fin III, 7-9 (rarely 10); pelvics usually insert behind the base of the pectoral fin; tail fin usually rounded; body scales rough or smooth.

A genus that is spread throughout the tropics and subtropics. There are ~100 species, with 7 in our area: 1 NW Atlantic, 2 W Atlantic, and 2 trans-Atlantic, 2 introduced.