Red Grouper

Scientific Name:
Epinephelus morio

Vernacular Names:
Es/Sp: Mero Rojo
Fr/Fr: Mérou rouge
In/En: Red grouper

Local Names:
Colombia: Mero rojo
Costa Rica: Mero rojo
Cuba: Cherna criolla
México: Mero rojo
Puerto Rico: Cabrilla
Venezuela: Mero

Commercial Names: Red grouper, Mero rojo

Simile of International Trade: Demersal, high-value export

Fishing Season: Available year-round, with peak seasons varying by region.

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

Habitat and Biology: Demersal species found on sandy and rocky bottoms, mainly between 5 and 100 meters deep. Feeds on fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods. Spawning usually occurs offshore in spring and early summer.

Length: Commonly caught specimens range from 40 cm to 100 cm (total length).