Fish Identification Photos: Broomtail Grouper, Mycteroperca xenarcha: The Broomtail Grouper is characterized by its overall light brown coloration, with elongated dark brown blotches on its face and sides that show a clear spot in the middle, giving them appearance of "lipstick kiss marks."

The Broomtail Grouper's gill covers are notched and strongly serrated. The Broomtail Grouper's tail fin is jagged, for which it is named.

The Broomtail Grouper might be confused with the Gulf Grouper, Mycteroperca jordani (white margins on fins, fourth and fifth dorsal spines longest, regular slightly concave tail, solid blotches, rather than ring-shaped).

The Broomtail Grouper is a member of the Serrandae or Sea Bass and Grouper Family. The Broomtail Grouper reaches five feet in length and up to 100 pounds. The Broomtail Grouper can be found over rocky reefs at depths varying from 10 to 200 feet within the water column.

In Mexico, the Broomtail Grouper is found all along the Pacific Coast of the Baja California peninsula, in the lower two-thirds of the Sea of Cortez, and along the coast of the mainland.

It is considered an excellent food fish and is sold commercially. Although not as abundant as some of the other groupers, the Broomtail Grouper is one of the more important food fish of the Sea of Cortez.

Broomtail Grouper, Mycteroperca xenarcha: Caught with Capt. Pata in the panga Salome, La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, midmorning in May 2003, in 77-degree, 150 to 200-foot deep water, utilizing a chrome yo-yo iron tied direct to 30-pound test, 25 miles north of La Playita. Size approximately 4 feet and 60 pounds, and that required about a 10-minute tug-of-war to land, of which the first five seconds was critical. Viewed by locals as a prized catch and excellent table fare. Description and photo courtesy John Snow. Broomtail Grouper, Mycteroperca xenarcha: Caught at San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Photo courtesy Eric Brictson, Gordo Banks Pangas. Broomtail Grouper, Mycteroperca xenarcha: Small broomtail grouper caught at Magdalena Bay, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Photo courtesy Gary Graham, Baja On The Fly.