Black Margate

Anisotremus surinamensis is a species of grunt native to the western Atlantic Ocean from Florida and the Bahamas to Brazil and throughout the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. It can be found at depths from 0 to 20 m (0 to 66 ft), preferring steeply sloping rocky bottoms or reefs with nearby areas for shelter. This species can reach 76 cm (30 in) in TL, though most do not exceed 45 cm (18 in). The maximum recorded weight for this species is 5.8 kg (13 lb). It is important to commercial fisheries as a food fish and is popular in public aquaria.

Description

Front half of body is darker than rear. Soft dorsal and anal fins have dense scales on bases of interradial membranes. Fins are dusky, anal and pelvic fins are darkest. Peritoneum is not black. Young are with two black stripes and a black spot at base of caudal fin. Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9.

Distribution

Western Atlantic: Florida, USA and the Bahamas through the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea to Brazil.

Habitat

It inhabits larger patch reefs and quickly sloping rocky bottoms. Often near the shelter of caves, ledges, or wrecks. It feeds at night on crustaceans, mollusks, smaller fish, and the long-spined urchin, Diadema.