The Gag Grouper is the most widely distributed grouper in our region, with adults present from North Carolina to Brazil, typically in water 60-500 feet deep. Gag Grouper have long, compressed bodies and 11 to 14 rays in the anal fins. Gag are protogynous hermaphrodites, which means they begin life as females; however, after a few years of spawning, some gag groupers change sex to become males. 50% of females mature at 24″ and 3 years of age. All fish less than 35″ are female, while most gag over 45″ are males. Coloration is highly variable in Gag and changes with the size of the fish. Large gag are dark brownish-gray above and paler below, with traces of dark wavy markings on the sides. Smaller fish are much lighter and have numerous dark brown or charcoal kiss-like marks along the sides. Gag are often confused with black grouper. One distinguishing characteristic is based on the color of the fin margins. The tail and anal fins of the Gag have white margins, while the black grouper does not. In addition, Gag have deeply notched preopercles (gill covers), distinguishing them from black grouper.
Gag may live for 26 years and grow to be 58 inches in length and weigh up to 81 pounds. Gag often congregate around rocky ledges and swim in small groups. They are predators of round scad, sardines, porgies, snappers, grunts, crabs, shrimp and squid.
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