This epibenthic and pelagic species occurs over reefs or at deep offshore holes or drop-offs, usually in small or moderate-sized schools, but may be solitary (Smith-Vaniz 2002). It is also found over rocky outcrops and wrecks (Harris et al. 2007). Juveniles associate with Sargassum or flotsam in oceanic and offshore neritic waters (Bortone et al. 1977). Prey items include fish, invertebrates and sometimes live, dead, and artificial bait. Its maximum size is 188 cm total length, but common to about 70-110 cm fork length (Smith-Vaniz 2002). The fork length at 50% maturity is 64.6 cm for males and 73.3 cm for females. Several studies have estimated the maximum age using methods of varying accuracy, and in general, this fish is considered difficult to age (SEDAR9 2011). Estimates of maximum longevity range from 10-17 years, but an age of 15 years was used for this assessment as described in SEDAR33 (2014). This species is assumed to be fully mature by age two (SEDAR33 2014). The Hoenig maximum age natural mortality estimator recommended by the SEDAR33 (2014) is 0.28 year^-1; however, it is unlikely that this parameter remains constant across all sizes and ages.The generation length was estimated to be 6 years using the equation 1/natural mortality + age of first reproduction. Using the equation age of first reproduction + [z * (length of the reproductive period)] where z = 0.5, generation length was estimated at 7 years. Therefore, the median of 6.5 years is applied.