Black Margate

The black margate reaches a maximum total length of 76 cm (30 in), although a total length of 45 cm (18 in) is more typical, while the heaviest specimen recorded was 5.8 kg (13 lb).

The black margate has a deep, compressed body with a high back and a short, blunt head. The mouth is positioned low on the head, it is horizontal with fleshy lips and the jaws are equipped with bands of teeth on both jaws. The outer band of teeth is conical in shape. The dorsal fin has 12 spines and 18 soft rays, while the anal fin contains three spines and 9 soft rays. A deep notch is in the dorsal fin and the fourth dorsal spine is longer than the others, while the second anal spine is also very large.

The black margate is found in the warmer parts of the Western Atlantic Ocean, in Florida from Cape Canaveral south through the Florida Keys to the Gulf of Mexico, including the Flower Garden Banks, from Rockport, Texas, along the coast of Mexico to the northern Yucatan Peninsula and northwestern Cuba. It occurs throughout the Caribbean Sea and along the northern and eastern coasts of South America to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. It also occurs at the Fernando de Noronha and Trindade Island.