BLACK GROUPER
Black grouper are found throughout the Gulf of Mexico, usually in water from 20 to 110 feet deep. In the northern Gulf, these fish ordinarily stay around rock bottom formations.

Olive to gray on their sides, they also have brassy-colored splotches. They grow to 52 inches in length, and their weights push 180 pounds.

GAG GROUPER
Gags are often confused with the black groupers due to their similar appearance. The gag is brownish-gray to light gray in color, with marbled splotches on its side. The gag's tail, however, is more rounded than the black's more square caudal fin. Also, the gag has white trim on its tail.

Gag groupers sometimes appear in schools of five to 50 fish, but also travel as loners. They have been found as deep as 500 feet, but may also venture up onto rocks or grassflats.

The species reaches lengths of almost 5 feet and weights exceeding 80 pounds.

RED GROUPER
As their name implies, red grouper are reddish brown in color, with lighter spots along their sides. They commonly grow to 33 inches and reach weights exceeding 25 pounds.

Reds are fond of hiding in crevices and holes in rocky limestone bottoms and favor water 10 to 40 feet deep.

SCAMP
One of the smaller groupers in the northern Gulf, the scamp can still reach lengths of 35 inches and weights of more than 20 pounds. The fish has a speckled look to its sides, with brown coloration and a yellow tint near the mouth. Scamp are found in waters from 75 to 250 feet down, particularly around low-profile reefs.

SNOWY GROUPER
Snowy grouper tend to be dark brown in color with a slight hint of copper, but with a sprinkling of white specks that gives them their name. These fish reach 3 feet and more than 70 pounds.