HABITS OF TIIK KF.I> GKOrPKK. 4H 



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

 swims much more slowly ;m<l very seldom rises to (In- surface. It is very voracious, consuming, 

 as is shown ly ;ui examination of the contents of its stomach, enormous quantities of crustaceans 

 anil small fish. I.aiue horny crabs in almost perfect condition arc olteu found inside of it. Its 

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

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

 ulaily important, since a large licet of smacks is constantly employed iu carrying lares 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 l>eing 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 licet 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 dialing in the wells of the smacks. The Grouper attains the weight of forty 

 IHJiuids, and is an excellent food-fish." 



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

 tion of "(i.ironpa," a name given by the Portuguese to similar species. In DeKay's time, as has 

 been 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 cf the same market in 1800, states: "This species is sometimes sent to our market from 

 Key West and the reefs of Florida iu May and the summer mouths. I have never seen more thau 

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

 at from twelve to fifteen cents a pouud." 



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

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



.THE BLACK GROUPER EPINEPHELUS NIGRITUS. 



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

 Peusacola 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 iu the Gulf of Mexico. Mr. S. C. Clarke has observed it iu 

 the India ii Eiver region, and has communicated the following notes to Professor Baird: 



"The Black Grouper is resideut 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 iu holes in the rocks aud under roots and snags aud about piles. They are 

 solitary iu their habits. They feed ou small fish, particularly mullet, aud on crustaceans, and 

 breed iu ihe salt rivers iu May aud June. Their spawn is very small, aud pale yellow. They are 

 taken with hook aud line by the use of mullet aud crab bait, aud are seldom seen except wheu 

 thus captured. They are much esteemed as food." 



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

 same spots with snappers and Groupers. At some places it is found in abuudaucc iu the bays, 

 and lives ou the bottom, feeding upon small fishes, crabs, etc. Ou the fishing grouuds where fish 

 are b. ing caught rapidly it uot unusually occurs. 



A very large .lew fish will follow and finally swallow a hooked lish, usually a red snapper, 

 with hooks, lead, line and all. If the line does not then break the fish may be hauled in with gaffs. 

 The .icw-iiMi attains an enormous si/e. and specimens weighing from eighty to one hundred pounds 



