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Grunt (Anisotremus davidsonii) — Haemulidae

Grunt

Anisotremus davidsonii
Family: Haemulidae
LC · Least Concern

The Grunt (Anisotremus davidsonii) is a saltwater fish of the family Haemulidae that grows up to 58 cm.

Length
58 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–40.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The sargo is a grunt (Haemulidae) from the eastern Pacific off California and Mexico. The species grows to about 58 cm and has a deep, silver-grey body with a conspicuous dark crossbar behind the pectoral fins. It lives in coastal waters, often on rocky reefs, sometimes over sandy bottoms and frequently near kelp beds; juveniles form schools in tidal pools. As a bottom searcher it feeds on crustaceans, molluscs and bryozoans. It is a pelagic spawner. The sargo is a valued sport and food fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Grunt?

The Grunt has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Grunt live?

The Grunt lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Grunt get?

The Grunt grows to a maximum of about 58 cm.

Is the Grunt dangerous to humans?

No, the Grunt is harmless to humans.

Is the Grunt edible?

Yes, the Grunt is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Californische sargo sourced
English name
Grunt verified
Scientific name
Anisotremus davidsonii
Family
Haemulidae
Other names
Sargo; Xantic sargo verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
58.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
15.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Wordt met hengel en aas vanaf de kust, pieren en boten bevist. sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Anisotremus

More from the family Haemulidae

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