FWC Home : Wildlife & Habitats : Species Information : Saltwater Fish Identification :  Scamp

Sea Basses & Grouper: Scamp

Description: color light gray or brown; large adults with elongated caudal-fin rays; reddish brown spots on sides that tend to be grouped into lines; some yellow around corners of mouth.

Similar Fish: yellowmouth grouper, M. interstitialis.

Where found: NEARSHORE reefs off the northeastern coast, and on OFFSHORE reefs in the Gulf.

Size: generally smaller than gags or blacks.

*Florida Record: 28 lbs.

Remarks: spawns in late spring; feeds on small fish, squid, and crustaceans; undergoes sex transformation from female to male as it becomes older.

Additional Info: Saltwater Fishing Regulations for Grouper

* The Florida records quoted are from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's printed publication, Fishing Lines and are not necessarily the most current ones. The records are provided as only as a benchmark.