Yellowmouth
Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER
Mycteroperca interstitialis
Illustration and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.
Description: color tan or brown with darker spots, or a network of spots, fused into lines; distinct yellow wash behind the jaws; yellow around the eyes; outer edges of fins yellowish.
Similar Fish: scamp, M. phenax.
Where found: OFFSHORE over reefs and rocks; not as common as scamp in the Gulf; range limited to southern Florida.
Possession and Size Limits: 4 per person in aggregate of all groupers, No size limit. Captain and crew prohibited from retaining bag limits of any grouper while under charter.
Federal Recreational Season: Closed February 1 - March 31. “The Edges” is closed to all fishing January 1 - April 30.
Size: common to 15 pounds.
Remarks: undergoes sex reversal, young individuals female, older individuals becoming male; young fish are bi-colored, dark above white below; feeds on small fish and crustaceans.
