Tiger Grouper

Tiger Grouper

Mycteroperca tigris
Tiger Grouper

Average Weight/Length

A medium-size Grouper, averaging under 10 pounds. World record 14 pounds, 8 ounces.

Other "Popular" Names for this Fish

Bonaci Gato

Location Habitat

Coral reefs. A solitary species occurring in coral reefs and rocky areas. It is considered an ambush predator that hides among the coral and sponges and is easy to approach. Frequents cleaning stations. The size versus sex distribution of Bermuda population indicates that this species is a protogynous hermaphrodite; all fish less than 37 cm TL were females and all fish larger than 45 cm TL were males. Randall reported food of 59 specimens 15 to 57 cm SL were purely fishes of a variety of species.

Biology & Physical Description

Dark markings against a dusty gray background form vivid oblique stripes on the upper sides. Smaller wormlike markings on lower sides and fins. Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-17; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11. Distinguished by the following characteristics: Back crossed by about 11 pale narrow lines that slope downward and forward. No other grouper in the Caribbean has the same pattern of narrow pale diagonal lines (Ref. 26938). Further characterized by having depth of body contained 3.1-3.6 times in SL; head length 2.5-2.8 times in SL; flat interorbital area; rounded preopercle, without lobe at angle; diameter of posterior nostrils 3-5 times larger than anterior ones; large teeth, well developed canines

Geographic Species Map (Fishbase.org Map)

Summary of Distribution: Western Atlantic: southern Florida (USA) and the Gulf of Mexico to Brazil. It was suggested that Mycteroperca tigris was a transient species in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico, but has recently become abundant on the Flower Garden Banks off Texas

Note: Distribution range colors indicate degree of suitability of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence (fishbase.org)

Sport Fishing Techniques

Gill nets

Gill-nets are the dominant gear in the Indian Ocean. Gill-nets are used in artisanal and semi-industrial fisheries, contributing to 30-40% of the total catch. The net design is comprised of continuous panels of uniform mesh size, aimed to trap fish behind the gills. The International Sustainable Seafood Foundation (ISSF) notes that rates of sharks and turtle by-catch in Indian Ocean gill-net fisheries are high..

Kite Fishing (Rig)

A Kite Fishing Rig is....

River Drift

River Drift means to use the....

Trawling

Trawling is when....

Tackle & Baits

Heavy spinning and baitcasting outfits, along with light boat rods and lines up to 20- or 30-pound test. Best baits are small live fish and fresh cut fish or squid. Tigers will take a variety of artificials, including jigs and trolling plugs.

Game Rating

Game Rating : 8/10

Game Description :

Equal to Groupers of similar size.

Food Rating

Game Rating : 9/10

Game Description :

Excellent.