Black Grouper

Scientific Name:
Mycteroperca bonaci

Vernacular Names:
Es/Sp: Mero negro
Fr/Fr: Mérou noir
In/En: Black grouper

Local Names:
Colombia: Mero negro
Costa Rica: Mero
Cuba: Negrito, Cherna
México: Mero, Negrillo
Puerto Rico: Cherna criolla, Mero
Venezuela: Mero

Commercial Names: Black grouper, Mero negro

Simile of International Trade: Demersal, high-value export

Fishing Season: Available year-round, but with regional peaks, typically between late spring and early fall.

Geographical Distribution: Western Atlantic: From Massachusetts (USA) and Bermuda, throughout the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, extending to southern Brazil.

Habitat and Biology: Demersal species found on rocky reefs and hard bottom habitats, usually between 10 and 100 meters deep. Diet consists of fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods. Spawning occurs offshore, mostly in late spring and summer.

Length: Commonly caught specimens range from 50 cm to 150 cm (total length).