HABITS OF THE RED GEOUPER. 411 



one about one inch in length. The Grouper is more of a bottom fish than the red snapper, for it 

 swims much more slowly and very seldom rises to the surface. It is very voracious, consuming, 

 as is shown by an examination of the contents of its stomach, enormous quantities of crustaceans 

 and small fish. Large horny crabs in almost perfect condition are often found inside of it. Its 

 movements are rather slow, and when hooked it is hauled up more like a dead-weight than like a 

 line-fish. In South Florida it is extensively eaten when procurable, and at Key West it is partic- 

 ularly important, since a large fleet of smacks is constantly employed in carrying fares of Groupers 

 to Cuba. In West Florida, where red snappers are more abundant, Groupers are not in demand 

 and have but a small market value. After being taken from the water, the Grouper is remarkably 







tenacious of life, and will live several hours, even though exposed to considerable heat. This is 

 one reason why the Key West fleet prefer Groupers for transportation to Cuba, since they are 

 obliged to go a long way to market and through warm water, and no other fish of the kind would 

 bear crowding and chafing in the wells of the smacks. The Grouper attains the weight of forty 

 pounds, and is an excellent food-fish." 



In Cuba this fish is called by the Spanish name "Cherna." The name "Grouper" is a corrup- 

 tion of "Garoupa," a name given by the Portugueseto similar species. In DeKay's time, as has 

 ben remarked, this fish was not unusual in the New York market, where it sold for from six to 

 twelve cents a pound, though its flesh was considered tough and not very highly esteemed. Gill, 

 writing of the same market in 185G, states: "This species is sometimes sent to our market from 

 Key West and the reefs of Florida in May and the summer months. I have never seen more than 

 two or three exposed for sale at a single time; it appears to be considerably esteemed, and is sold 

 at from twelve to fifteen cents a pound." 



Genio Scott writes: "The Grouper is an excellent dinner-fish, and when boiled and served 

 with drawn butter and shrimp or lobster sauce is said to fully equal the turbot." 



THE BLACK GEOUPER EPINEPHELUS NIGRITUS. 



The Black Grouper, Epinephelus nigritus, called in Florida and Texas the "Jew-fish," is at 

 Pensacola known by the name "Warsaw," evidently a corruption of the -Spanish name "Guasa.". 

 It was first brought to notice by Holbrook, who had received one specimen from the vicinity of 

 Charleston; north of that point it had not yet been observed, though it appears to be abundant 

 along the coast of East Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico. Mr. S. C. Clarke has observed it in 

 the Indian River region, and has communicated the following notes to Professor 1 laird: 



"The Black Grouper is resident all the year, though not abundant. The greatest size 

 attained is about fifteen pounds; the average, three pounds. They pass the winter in the salt- 

 water rivers, living in holes in the rocks and under roots and snags and about piles. They are 

 solitary in their habits. They feed on small fish, particularly mullet, and on crustaceans, and 

 breed in the salt rivers in May and June. Their spawn is very .small, and pale yellow. They are 

 taken with hook and line by the use of mullet and crab bait, and are seldom scon except when 

 thus captured. They are much ester d as fond." 



Mr. Stearns remarks that it is a common fish at sea along the Gulf coast, living chiefly on the 

 same spots with snappeis and Groupers. At some places it is found in abundance in the bays, 

 and lives on the bottom, feeding upon small fishes, crabs, etc. On the fishing grounds where fish 

 are 1). ing caught rapidly it not unusually occurs. 



A very large Jew fish will follow ;:m! finally swallow a hooked fish, usually a red snapper, 

 with hooks, lead, line and all. If the line docs not then break the fish may be hauled in with gall's. 

 The Jew-fish attains an enormous si/c, and spccimoTis weighing from eighty to one hundred pounds 



