Tiger grouper (Mycteroperca tigris) is a saltwater species recorded in the United States. It is mainly found over reef, at depths of 10–40 m.
Scientific name: Mycteroperca tigris · Water: Saltwater
Size: up to 101 cm
The tiger grouper is an epinephelid of coral reefs and rocky areas, recorded from 10 to 40 m. It is a solitary ambush predator that hides among the coral and sponges and is easy to approach, and it frequents cleaning stations; it is a protogynous hermaphrodite, all fish less than 37 cm total length being females and all fish larger than 45 cm being males. Its food is entirely fishes, of a variety of species. Its range is the western Atlantic, from southern Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to Brazil. Maximum length is about 101 cm total length, commonly about 40 cm, and it matures at about 46 cm. It is a commercial species, a gamefish and is kept in public aquariums, with a high price category. Fishing vulnerability is high at 64 of 100 and resilience low. IUCN lists it as data deficient.
Caution: large individuals carry a ciguatera risk. Heat, cold and marinating do not remove the toxin, which concentrates in the liver, roe and head, so avoid eating those parts. Seek medical help if numbness, tingling or a reversed sense of hot and cold follows a meal.
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