Speckled Hind Identification Guide
Recognize the reddish-purple body dusted with white spots and dark fin margins of this deepwater grouper.
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Key identification features
- Reddish-brown to purplish body densely covered in small, round white to pale blue spots over the head, body, and fins
- Dark blackish margin along the dorsal, anal, and tail fins that stands out sharply against the spotted body
- Robust, moderately deep grouper body with a fairly large mouth typical of the genus
- Grows to about 3 ft (90 cm), a solid mid-to-large sized deepwater grouper
- Coloring darkens somewhat with age, but the fine white spotting typically persists into adulthood
Common look-alikes
- Snowy grouper — fewer spots and a darker gray-brown tone rather than reddish-purple
- Red hind — smaller, with reddish-brown spots on a paler background instead of white spots on a reddish-purple body
Where you'll see one
Speckled hind lives on deep rocky ledges and reefs from about 100 to 450 ft along the continental shelf of the southeastern United States and Gulf of Mexico, generally staying close to structure and rarely venturing far from cover on the bottom.
Frequently asked questions
How do I recognize speckled hind?
Look for a reddish-purple body evenly covered in small white spots and dark-edged fins, typically encountered on deep offshore reefs.
How is speckled hind different from red hind?
Speckled hind is larger with white spots on a reddish-purple body, while red hind is smaller with reddish-brown spots on a pale background and lives in shallower water.