(Mycteroperca Microlepis)
December 21st, 2019
March 27th, 2020
Middle Grounds (90 Miles west from Clearwater,FL)
This fish is a Gag Grouper or known as a Mycteroperca microlepis. This fish is part of Phylum Chordata and is therefore a Deuterostome. This fish is distinguished by the bottom of the cheek has a sharp serrated spur, also you can tell by the brownish-gray worm like marking on the side, and the dark line radiate from the eyes. This fishes habitat is on rocky bottoms, reefs, or ledges found in the ocean. "The common size for these fish is roughly 25 pounds and can reach 50 pounds". The Gag grouper like the warmer water and tend to move inshore and offshore according to the weather.

References
https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/saltwater/grouper/gag-grouper/