Red Grouper
Epinephelus morio
Also known as Grouper, Cherna americana, Negre
Culinary Profile
Red grouper has a mild but distinct flavor, somewhere between bass and halibut. Red grouper is sweeter and milder than black grouper, and many consider red grouper the tastier of the two.
Very firm, moist, and flaky.
Red grouper is low in saturated fat, and a good source of vitamins B6 and B12, phosphorus, potassium, protein, and selenium.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Red grouper have robust bodies with small scales. Their head and body are dark reddish brown, shading pink or reddish below with occasional white spots on the sides and black spots on the cheeks. They have large mouths with a lower jaw that often projects slightly beyond their upper jaw, with bands of slender, sharp teeth, and usually a few stout, fixed canines. Their large mouths allow them to eat their prey whole.
Biology
Red grouper grow slowly, up to almost 50 inches long and more than 50 pounds. The oldest recorded red grouper in the South Atlantic was 26 years old and the oldest recorded in the Gulf of America was 29 years old. They are protogynous hermaphrodites—they begin life as females and sexually mature when they reach 4 to 6 years of age. Some later transform into males, most often between the ages of 7 and 15.
Where They Live
Range Red grouper are found in the western Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts through the Gulf of America and south to Brazil. Habitat Red grouper are referred to as shallow-water grouper because they’re common in waters 10 to 60 feet deep. Juveniles prefer grass beds, rock formations, and reefs in shallow, nearshore waters. They move offshore as they mature.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from Massachusetts to the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico).
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial fishery: In 2024, commercial landings of red grouper totaled 2.8 million pounds and were valued at $16 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Commercial fishermen mainly use hook-and-line gear, including longlines and handlines, to harvest red 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 red grouper. Sea turtles and other reef fishes, such as snappers and groupers, can be incidentally caught while fishing for red grouper.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 111 Species
Where Red 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 Red 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 Red 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
What is the stock status of Red Grouper?
In the Gulf of America* (formerly Gulf of Mexico), the stock is not overfished. In the South Atlantic, the stock is overfished, but the fishing rate established under a rebuilding plan promotes population growth.
How deep does Red Grouper live?
Red Grouper inhabits depths of 10 to 60 feet. Range Red grouper are found in the western Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts through the Gulf of America and south to Brazil. Habitat Red grouper are referred to as shallow-water grouper because they’re common in waters 10 to 60 feet deep.
What does Red Grouper eat?
Red grouper grow slowly, up to almost 50 inches long and more than 50 pounds. The oldest recorded red grouper in the South Atlantic was 26 years old and the oldest recorded in the Gulf of America was 29 years old. They are protogynous hermaphrodites—they begin life as females and sexually mature when they reach 4 to 6 years of age.
How big does Red Grouper get?
grow slowly, up to almost 50 inches long and more than 50 pounds.
Who manages the Red Grouper fishery?
NOAA Fisheries and the South Atlantic , Gulf , and Caribbean Fishery Management Councils manage the red grouper fishery: In the South Atlantic, managed under the Snapper-Grouper Fishery Management Plan : Commercial fishermen must have a permit to fish, land, or sell red grouper. Managers limit the number of available permits to control the number of fishermen harvesting red grouper.
Sustainability Story
Although some populations are below target levels, U.S. wild-caught red grouper is still a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
There are five stocks of red grouper: the Gulf of America stock, the 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
In the Gulf of America* (formerly Gulf of Mexico), the stock is not overfished. In the South Atlantic, the stock is overfished, but the fishing rate established under a rebuilding plan promotes population growth.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Fishing gear used to catch red grouper rarely contacts the ocean bottom and has 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 red grouper fishery: In the South Atlantic, managed under the Snapper-Grouper Fishery Management Plan : Commercial fishermen must have a permit to fish, land, or sell red 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.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.