The square grouper gets its popular name from its more rectangular shape compared to other groupers. It is found in reef areas and rocky bottoms along the Atlantic Ocean coast. It is more active from dusk onwards, and during the day it is commonly found in reef areas or on rocky bottoms. A curious characteristic is that many individuals are born female and, over time, transform into males, a phenomenon known as protogynous hermaphroditism. Like many large species, its main threats are overfishing and the degradation of its natural habitats.