Physical description:

Gag grouper have long, compressed bodies and 11 to 14 rays in the anal fins. Coloration is highly variable in gag and changes with the size of the fish. Large gag are dark brownish-gray above and paler below, with traces of dark wavy markings on the sides. Smaller fish are much lighter and have numerous dark brown or charcoal kiss-like marks along the sides. The Scamp, M. phenax, and black grouper, M. bonaci, closely resemble the gag and often occur in the same habitat. Gag have deeply notched preopercles, distinguishing them from black grouper.

Biological description:

The gag grouper is the most widely distributed grouper in the region, with adults present from North Carolina to Brazil over low- and high-profile hard bottom in waters 60-500 feet deep. The species is found in the Gulf of Mexico, but not in the West Indies. Young gag inhabit estuaries from Massachusetts to Cape Canaveral. Spawning takes place in February off the coast of the Carolinas and in January through March in the Gulf of Mexico. Gag are protogynous hermaphrodites, which means they begin lif as female, however after a few years of spawning, some gag groupers change sex, becoming males.  50% of females mature at 24" Total Length and age 3.  All fish less than 35" TL are female, while most gag are males after reaching 45" TL.  

Gag may live for 26 years and grow to be 58 inches in length and weigh up to 81 pounds. Gag often congregate around rocky ledges and swim in small groups. They are predators of round scad, sardines, porgies, snappers, grunts, crabs, shrimp and squid.

Note: Gag are often confused with black grouper.  One distinguishing characteristic is based on teh color of the fin margins.  The caudal (tail) and anal fins of the gag have white margins, while the black grouper does not.

South Atlantic Federal Regulations

(For areas three-200 miles off the coasts of NC, SC, GA, and East Florida)

Commercial:

Limited access permit required.

• 24" TL size limit.
• Must be landed with heads and fins intact.
• During March and April, harvest and possession is limited to the recreational bag limit and sale and purchase is prohibited.
• Gear restrictions apply.

Recreational:

• Included in the 5 grouper per person bag limit, although no more than 2 fish may be gag or black grouper, individually or combined. See recreational retention limits.
• 24" TL size limit.
• Must be landed with head and fins intact.
• Purchase and sale is prohibited March and April.
• Gear restrictions apply.