Fish Identification Photos: Sawtail Grouper, Mycteroperca prionura: The Sawtail Grouper is characterized by its ragged caudal fin, overall grouper appearance, including pointed anal fin, and a body covered with brown spots with some dusky spots which fade with maturity.

Its third dorsal spine is longer than the others. The Sawtail Grouper grows up to about 40 inches in length and up to 25 pounds.

The Sawtail Grouper may be confused with both the Spotted Phase Leopard Grouper, Mycteroperca rosacea, and especially with the Spotted Cabrilla or Pinto Bass, Epinephelus analogis, which it closely resembles in color.

However, the Spotted Cabrilla has a typical cabrilla rounded anal fin.

The Sawtail Grouper is found in rocky reefs within the first 150 feet of the water column. It is a voracious predator, feeding on crustaceans at night and on small fishes during the day.

The Sawtail Grouper is a member of the Serrandae or Sea Bass and Grouper Family.

The Sawtail Grouper is found only in the southern half of the Sea of Cortez.

It is considered an excellent food fish and is a prime quarry of the sportfishing industry of the central Sea of Cortez, although they have become quite uncommonly caught, due to decades of overfishing and slow reproductive and growth rates.

Sawtail Grouper, Mycteroperca prionura: Caught with Captain 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 water, utilizing a chrome yo-yo iron tied direct on 30 pound test, 25 miles north of La Playita. Size approximately 2 feet and 30 pounds and that required about a 10-minute tug-of-war to land of which the first 5 seconds was critical. Viewed by locals as a prized catch and as excellent table fare. Description and photo courtesy John Snow. Fish identification courtesy Mike Kanzler, Isla San Marcos. Capt. Juanita of Loreto's El Fuerte Fleet with a sawtail grouper caught at Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Photo courtesy Ty Miller. Photo courtesy Peter Langstraat. Fish I.D. courtesy Neff Nash.