Rock hind
Epinephelus adscensionis
(Osbeck, 1765)
Description:
Body strong and stout, with a large mouth. Body and fins tan with reddish to dark spots. Can pale to almost white, or darken, dramatically. A black saddle blotch on the base of the tail (E. adscensionis 2) and one to four pale or dark blotches along the back, near the dorsal fin (E. asdscensionis).
Size up to 61 cm.
Habitat:
Inhabits rocky reefs, commonly down to 30 m. Usually solitary. Feeds mainly on crabs and fish that are drawn into their gullets by a powerful suction created when they open their large mouths. Held securely by thousands of small, rasp-like teeth that cover the jaws, tongue and palate, the prey is swallowed whole. Groupers are hermaphroditic, beginning life as females, but changing to males with maturity.
Distribution:
Common Florida, Bahamas and eastern Caribbean.