Strawberry Grouper is a speckled hind fish also known as Calico Grouper, and Kitty Mitchell. It gets the name Strawberry Grouper because of the pink, red, and white color with orange spots that cover the whole body. Sometimes the spots are red.
I have given you all the basic information about the Strawberry Grouper fish for your convenience.
Strawberry Grouper Fish: Facts
Here are some amazing and important facts about the Strawberry Grouper fish.
Family
Strawberry Grouper fish comes from the marine subfamily Epinephelinae, which initially belongs to the family Serranidae.
Appearance
The strawberry grouper has a similar shape to other groupers in the family. It can change its color depending on the type of mood. In extreme conditions, the color can turn reddish brown or yellow.
Strawberry Grouper species are mostly pink in color, with light pink spots all around the body. The caudal fins have a blue edge that that distinguishes them from other groupers in the family. Strawberry Groupers become camouflaged in water after 5 meters.
Diet
Strawberry Groupers love to eat crustaceans and small fish. They also enjoy shrimp and smaller crabs. They have a large mouth with small teeth in the front, required to eat their whole prey at once.
Habitat
Strawberry Grouper is a reef fish. You can also find them in waters with rock structures. They easily blend in with the coral reefs inside the sea.
Where To Find
Strawberry Grouper fish are mostly found in the Western Atlantic from North Carolina to the Florida Keys. If you are trying to fish, going to the West Coast of Florida is best.
They are also found in the East of Africa. If you trying to meet them in Tanzanian waters, you can find them 15 meters below the sea.
Size
Strawberry Grouper are found in various sizes. The largest anyone has seen a Strawberry grouper is 30cm.
Reproduction
Strawberry Grouper reproduction process takes place between late hours of afternoon and sunset. They lay their eggs on the substrate.
How To Hunt Strawberry Grouper Fish
To all the fishermen and anglers, try to follow all instructions to catch them. Use a good bait to lure them. Ensure the fish hook is good enough to catch the fish effectively.
You must use dehooking and venting tools to release the fish immediately with minimum damage. Use pliers to remove the hook and vent.
Strawberry Grouper as Seafood
Strawberry Grouper is rich in number of nutrients, including proteins, minerals, and vitamin B. When you bring a Strawberry Grouper for cooking purposes, remove it from the sealed bag and store it in a cold environment.
It’s better to keep it frozen until ready to use. Use within 24 hours for the best flavor. Check the whole Grouper for bones and safely remove it with tweezers.
Dredge the fillets and season them with flour. When cooked, put them on a mesh plate in order to drain out the oil.
Final Thoughts
Unfortunately, the Strawberry Grouper Fish is an endangered species. Commercial use of these fish has increased greatly.
If you go on a trip to find these beautiful creatures, you might not find them as the hunters are more actively looking for them.
