Fish ID Grouper, Sea Bass, Soapfish?

[SlitheringHerps]

Hello everyone! I was wondering if anyone out there could help me id my fish. I purchased him from the pet shop as a soapfish but im having a hard time finding anything on him searching under that name. I figure he is some sort of grouper/sea bass and im caring for him as such but I would like to know exactly what im dealing with lol. Thanks in advance!!!

[SlitheringHerps]

:confused:

[chrisdef15]

Yeah some sort of grouper. No idea on the exact ID as there are so many and so many look very similar especially when small. Ide just expect for it to get atleast 16" but maybe bigger and hope it doesnt get to huge.

[Cappuccino]

You can use this website to make a positive identification,but it looks like a Jewfish.


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Jewfish

http://indian-river.fl.us/fishing/fish/groupjew.jpg
Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER
Epinephelus itajara
Description: head and fins covered with small black spots; irregular dark and vertical bars present on the sides of body; pectoral and caudal fins rounded; first dorsal fin shorter than and not separated from second dorsal; adults huge, up to 800 pounds; eyes small.
Similar Fish: other grouper.
Where found: NEARSHORE often around docks, in deep holes, and on ledges; young often occur in estuaries, especially around oyster bars; more abundant in southern Florida than in northern waters.
Size: largest of the groupers.
*Florida Record: 680 lbs.
Remarks: spawns over summer months; lifespan of 30 to 50 years; feeds on crustaceans and fish. NOTE: jewfish are totally protected from harvest in Florida waters.


http://indian-river.fl.us/fishing/fish/groupjew.html
(http://indian-river.fl.us/fishing/fish/groupjew.html)

[UnderwaterGirl]

Hello everyone! I was wondering if anyone out there could help me id my fish. I purchased him from the pet shop as a soapfish but im having a hard time finding anything on him searching under that name. I figure he is some sort of grouper/sea bass and im caring for him as such but I would like to know exactly what im dealing with lol. Thanks in advance!!!

Might be a Goliath Grouper (jewfish) I have never seen any that small though. If it is, then your lfs may be in some trouble because Goliaths are endangered. I really hope that's not what it is.

[UnderwaterGirl]

I think it is either a hamlet or a rockhind.

[chrisdef15]

Yeah there are quite a few groupers that are black and white when young so i doubt it is a jewfish.

[SlitheringHerps]

Thanks for the help everyone! Man this was harder than it looked lol. I was curious about it being a jewfish when I first started to search but have since ruled that out. I am more leaning towards it being Pinto Bass (Epinephelus analogus) with the hind fish coming in as a second possibility. BTW he is about 9 inches right now and is being kept in a 250g aquarium.

[soulFish]

God help you if it's a jewfish. I dont think you'll be keeing it long. The jews get 1,500lbs around 8' Not to mention it's illegal to have one live or dead

[SlitheringHerps]

I'm fairly certain its not a jewfish.

[myfishhadbabies]

can u get a pic of the fish now that it has settled in ur tank?

[andyourblueblood]

looks like a hind to me.

[guppy]

That is the rock grouper (Epinecephalus fasciatomaculosus) a fairly common food fish found from Taiwan through the Phillipines and most of the western Pacific. It get about 12" long. Look at the banding, see how the dark bands split towards the bottom, that is a main identifying characteristic.

[Bottomfeeder]

Blacktip Grouper