(Family )Polyprion americanus

Bluish grey above, paler below. Darkens to almost black after they've been out of the water for a bit, as shown in the photo. Sometimes mistaken for a grouper. The fins are blackish, lower front ones streaked and outlined with white. Anal and pectoral fins rounded. Front dorsal spined, rear dorsal rounded. Juveniles have dark blotches. Large mouth (resembles the shape of a seabass). Ridge across the gill cover, cover ends in a point. Large eyes.

Solitary fish, found on or near cave structures and shipwrecks. Ranges from the Gulf of Maine and the Grand Banks to North Carolina (though rare in the western N. Atlantic), more common in the eastern Atlantic. Maximum reported length of 7 ft and weight of 220 lb. Feeds on large crustaceans, squid and bait fishes. Highly edible.

Sample provided by: David Snyder