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The Marbled Grouper fish identification, habitats, characteristics, Fishing methods
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Marbled grouper, Dermatolepis inermis, also known as Brown Marbled grouper, Sickelfish Grouper, Rockhind, Mutton Hamlet, Grouper, Donkey Fish, cherna jaspeada, Mero marmol, Mero tigre, Mérou marbré, is a deep water reef associated marine fish, widely distributed from North Carolina to Rio de Janeiro, including the Gulf of Mexico, Bahamas, Caribbean and South Florida.
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Description
Deeper-bodied than most Groupers, its shape is reminiscent of the unrelated Tripletail.
Body deep and compressed, the greatest depth distinctly more than head length, contained 2.2 to 2.5 times in standard length (for fish 15 to 34 cm standard length); body width contained 2.2 to 2.9 times in the depth. No canine teeth. Preopercle finely serrate, the serrae at angle slightly enlarged. Cudal fin rounded in juveniles, truncate or concave in adults. Scales smooth deeply embedded; accurate scale counts are difficult. Bases of soft dorsal and anal fins covered with scales and thick skin. The membranes on the dorsal fin are incised between the spines, and the 3rd or 4th spine are the longest. Pctoral fins are 35% standard length. The rear margin on anal fin is falcate in large adults.
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Gill rakers on first arch are 19 to 22.
Dorsal fin has 11 spines and 18 to 20 soft rays.
Anal fin has 3 spines and 8 to 10 soft rays.
Pctoral fins have 18 or 19 rays.
Maximum total length is about 90 cm.
Maximum weight is over 10 kg.
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Marbled grouper are dark brown or charcoal with numerous white spots. Juveniles are black or dark brown, covered with irregular white spots and blotches; adult’s mottled greyish brown with white speckles and small black spots that tend to be arranged in rings.
Habitats
Depth range is from 21 to 250 m, usually 3 - 35 m. They are usually on very deep dropoffs or seamounts in 500 feet or more of water, deep ledges and on reefs, usually in caves or deep crevices. Marbled Grouper is solitary and secretive, darts away when approached or frightened. They are a rare, secretive species seldom seen by divers. They feed on fish and caught incidentally throughout its range.
Fishing Methods.
They have excellent food value, as are all the Groupers that inhabit very deep water. Seldom could be caught on sporting gear using drifting fishing method with cut baitfish or squid and power reels. Rarely seen in markets, but undoubtedly eaten when caught.
Grouper Recepe
Steamed Marbled Grouper with Ham
Prepare the Soy sauce for steamed fish by mixing together 1 tablespoon of light soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of dark soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of sugar, Ground white pepper to taste, and 2 tablespoons of boiling water.
Shred 13g of ham and 3 slices of ginger. Gut 1 marbled grouper (approx. 750g). Wash and drain. Marinate with 1 teaspoon of oil and 1/2 teaspoon of cornflour. Put 5 sprigs of spring onions on the plate. Put the grouper on top of the spring onion. Arrange ginger and ham shreds on top of the fish. Steam for 10 minutes over high heat. Drain the liquid on the plate. Pour cooked oil and soy sauce over the fish. Sprinkle Chinese parsley at last. Serve hot.
More great easy Grouper Recepies.
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