tobaccofish
Serranus tabacarius
A small grouper of Caribbean reefs and northern Brazil, with yellow spots on the back, of minimal commercial value.
Also called: garoupa-tabaco, jácome, tobaccofish
- maximum
- 22 cm
- depth
- 4–70 m
who is the tobaccofish
The tobacco grouper is a fish of the family Serranidae and reaches 22 cm. It lives on rocky or coral bottoms, in clear, shallow waters, and forms groups on deeper reefs, from 4 to 70 m. It occurs in the western Atlantic, from Bermuda and southern Florida to northern Brazil, including the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Because it is small, it has minimal commercial value, and it is also sold for aquariums. It sometimes follows the goatfish, which stir up the sand in search of invertebrates.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the tobaccofish; in the meantime, see the similar species.
fun facts
- It sometimes follows the goatfish, which stir up the sand in search of invertebrates.
- It is a simultaneous hermaphrodite, meaning it has both sexual functions at the same time.
identification
The back is crossed by yellow spots and bands, some of which widen toward the upper part of the body. The body is spindle-shaped. It can be mistaken for the harlequin grouper, of the same genus and region, which has black bands in rectangles, and, in northern Brazil, for the old cabrilla (Paralabrax dewegeri), which is brownish, with vertical bands and a dark spot at the base of the pectoral fin.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
In Latin America it lives from Mexico to northern Brazil, including the Caribbean, Venezuela, Colombia and the Guianas.
Habitat: Rocky and coral reefs, in clear waters, 4 to 70 m.
coast
rules for the tobaccofish
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
Conservation: Not on the Brazilian national list (Ministerial Ordinance GM/MMA No. 1.667/2026).
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
No danger to anglers. Being small, it can be released quickly, without spending much time out of the water.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.01096, b = 3.05; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa pelo gênero e formato do corpo)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Serranus tabacarius (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Serranus tabacariusNames by country and language.
- official Portaria GM/MMA nº 1.667, de 27 de abril de 2026: Lista Nacional Oficial de Espécies da Fauna Ameaçadas de Extinção (peixes e invertebrados aquáticos)The species is not on the list. Checked in the DOU of April 28, 2026.
