Speckled Hind Grouper

	Scientific Name	Epinephelus drummondhayi
	Other Names	Kitty Mitchell, calico grouper
	World Record	52 lbs 8 ounces

Description

Speckled hind is one of the most beautifully colored groupers caught off the southeastern United States is the speckeld hind. The common name stems from the profusion of tiny white spots that cover the deep reddish-brown head, body, and fins. The name Kitty Mittchell reportedly associates the fish?s coloration with a red-haired, freckle-faced lady of the evening who was an acquaintance of Gulf Coast commercial snapper fishermen during the last century. In addition to the normal color pattern, some juveniles undergo a xanthic phase, where white spots cover a light yellow background.

Habitat

Speckled Hind inhabit warm, moderately deep waters from Norih Carolina to Cuba, including Bermuda, the Bahamas, and the Gulf of Mexico. The preferred habitat is high- arid low-profile hard bottom in depths ranging from 150 to 330 feet, where temperatures arc 60 to 85°F. Like other reef fish studied in the South Atlantic Bight, Speckled Hind seem to display a fish site water depth relationship; smaller fish occur inshore, whereas larger individuals are found in deeper water. Most of the fish caught are in the 5-pound size class, although the species grows much larger. The world record is a 64-pound Speckled F Hind caught off North Carolina. Strawberry Grouper are never very common in sport or commercial landings, a fact that has hampered research on the species.

Feeding Habit

Speckled hind generally engulf their prey whole. The fish opens its mouth and extends the gill covers rapidly to draw in a current of water, thus inhaling the food. Groupers are also known to pursue their prey and strike it. Items in the diet include fishes, crabs, shrimps, and mollusks that inhabit hard-bottomed areas.

Age and Growth

Most of the larger, older fish are males. Females reach sexual maturity probably as 4- or 5-year-olds about 19 to 21 inches long). Spawning takes place offshore from July through September. The fertilized eggs, which may number up to 2 million for a large female, are pelagic. The recently hatched young are also found on the water’s surface before they migrate to the bottom. Growth is rapid for the first 3 years, and then levels off for the life of the fish, which may be 15 years.

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