Black Grouper
Mycteroperca bonaci
Also known as Grouper, Blackfin grouper, Marbled rockfish
Culinary Profile
Grouper has a mild but distinct flavor, somewhere between bass and halibut. Gag is sometimes mistakenly referred to as black grouper in the market. The two species are very similar in taste and texture.
Firm and flaky.
Grouper is low in saturated fat. It is a good source of vitamins B6 and B12, phosphorus, potassium, protein and selenium.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Black grouper have an olive or gray body, with black blotches and brassy spots. Their cheeks are gently rounded.
Biology
Black grouper begin life as a female and some change into males as they grow – usually between 2 to 4 feet in length (approximately 11 to 14 years old). The overall sex ratio is generally one male for every four females. Black grouper are generally solitary fish until spawning season when they aggregate and spawn in huge numbers. Eggs are fertilized externally and float with the currents.
Where They Live
Range Black grouper are found in the western Atlantic from Massachusetts to Brazil. They are particularly associated with the southern Gulf of America, Florida Keys, Cuba, the Bahamas, and throughout the Caribbean. The U.S. stock primarily occurs in the Florida Keys. Habitat Juvenile black grouper commonly live in seagrass and oyster rubble habitat in the Carolinas, and along reefs in the Florida Keys and in Brazil.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Availability varies by fishing season and region.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from South Carolina to Florida, and in the Caribbean.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial Fishery In 2024, commercial landings of black grouper totaled 97,000 pounds and were valued at more than $666,000, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . There are limited landings in the U.S. Caribbean. Gear Types, Habitat Impacts, and Bycatch Commercial fishermen mainly use hook-and-line gear, including longlines and handlines, to harvest black grouper. Trawl gear, fish traps, and bottom longlines are prohibited in some areas to reduce bycatch. Several areas are closed to all fishing to protect snappers and groupers, including black grouper. Sea turtles and other reef fishes, such as snappers and groupers, can be incidentally caught while fishing for black grouper.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 111 Species
Where Black Grouper ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 0.89 mg | 29 / 111 | 74% |
| Selenium | 36.5 µg | 32 / 106 | 70% |
| Protein | 19.38 g | 43 / 111 | 61% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 220 mg | 52 / 104 | 50% |
| Zinc | 0.48 mg | 56 / 111 | 50% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 27 mg | 93 / 104 | 11% |
| Phosphorus | 162 mg | 99 / 111 | 11% |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.6 µg | 100 / 106 | 6% |
Other New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Black Grouper.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Blacktip Shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
Sweet, meaty taste.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Atlantic Common Thresher Shark
Alopias vulpinus
Mild flavor.
Atlantic Herring
Clupea harengus
Small fresh herring have a more delicate flavor, while larger herring have a fuller, oilier flavor.
Atlantic Mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark meat along the midline.
Atlantic Mahi Mahi
Coryphaena hippurus
Mahi mahi has a sweet, mild flavor. For a milder flavor, trim away darker portions of the meat.
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Reported to be quite tasty.
Atlantic Skipjack Tuna
Katsuwonus pelamis
Skipjack tuna has the most pronounced taste of all of the tropical tunas.
Atlantic Spiny Dogfish
Squalus acanthias
Mild and sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Mild-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the mild flavour profile of Black Grouper, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Pollock
Gadus chalcogrammus
Pollock has mild-tasting flesh and is similar to other white fish like cod or haddock.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should Black Grouper be cooked?
Black Grouper has Firm and flaky. — suited to gentle methods that preserve moisture (poaching, sous-vide, low-heat roasting) as much as high-heat techniques (grilling, searing), depending on thickness of the cut.
How big does Black Grouper get?
grow – usually between 2 to 4 feet.
How much Black Grouper is caught commercially?
Commercial Fishery In 2024, commercial landings of black grouper totaled 97,000 pounds and were valued at more than $666,000, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . There are limited landings in the U.S. Caribbean. Gear Types, Habitat Impacts, and Bycatch Commercial fishermen mainly use hook-and-line gear, including longlines and handlines, to harvest black grouper.
Is Black Grouper a lean fish or a rich one?
At 92 kcal per 100 g raw, Black Grouper counts as lean on the fattiness spectrum — useful context when deciding cooking method (lean species suit poaching; rich species hold up to high-heat sear).
Where in the water column does Black Grouper live?
Range Black grouper are found in the western Atlantic from Massachusetts to Brazil. They are particularly associated with the southern Gulf of America, Florida Keys, Cuba, the Bahamas, and throughout the Caribbean. The U.S. stock primarily occurs in the Florida Keys.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught black grouper is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
There are four stocks of black grouper: a Gulf of America/South Atlantic stock, and three Caribbean stocks contained in the Puerto Rico Grouper 4 Complex, the St. Croix Grouper 5 Complex, and the St. Thomas/St. John Grouper 4 Complex.
Population
The Gulf of America/South Atlantic stock is not overfished.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Fishing gears used to harvest black grouper have minimal impacts on habitat.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the South Atlantic , Gulf , and Caribbean Fishery Management Councils manage the black grouper fishery. In the South Atlantic, black grouper are managed under the Snapper-Grouper Fishery Management Plan : Commercial fishermen must have a permit to fish, land, or sell black grouper.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 19 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.