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Burro grunt (Pomadasys crocro) — Haemulidae

Burro grunt

Pomadasys crocro
Family: Haemulidae

The Burro grunt (Pomadasys crocro) is a brackish-water fish of the family Haemulidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic and Caribbean; coastal waters, estuaries and rivers.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The burro grunt is a grunt of the family Haemulidae from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body. It is a euryhaline species inhabiting coastal waters, estuaries and lagoons and regularly entering fresh river water. As a bottom predator it feeds on small crustaceans, worms, molluscs and small fishes. Grunts owe their name to the grunting sound they make with the pharyngeal teeth, amplified by the swim bladder. The burro grunt is a locally valued food fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Burro grunt?

The Burro grunt has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Euryhaline grunter that seeks out fresh river water; makes grunting sounds with its pharyngeal teeth.

Where does the Burro grunt live?

The Burro grunt lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Atlantic and Caribbean; coastal waters, estuaries and rivers.

How big does the Burro grunt get?

The Burro grunt grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Burro grunt dangerous to humans?

No, the Burro grunt is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Burro grunt edible?

Yes, the Burro grunt is commonly eaten.

More photos

Burro grunt (Pomadasys crocro) — Haemulidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Alexis Desmarais, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Burro grunt (Pomadasys crocro) — Haemulidae — 3
© President and Fellows of Harvard College (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — MCZ
Burro grunt (Pomadasys crocro) — Haemulidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Garrett, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Burro grunt (Pomadasys crocro) — Haemulidae — 5
mayabh (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Burro grunt sourced
Scientific name
Pomadasys crocro
Family
Haemulidae
Other names
Crocro roughneck; Atlantic grunt; Freshwater grunt

Appearance

Size class
Medium
Max length (cm)
40 sourced
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight 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
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Western Atlantic and Caribbean; coastal waters, estuaries and rivers. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans, worms, molluscs and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Euryhaline grunter that seeks out fresh river water; makes grunting sounds with its pharyngeal teeth. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Pomadasys

More from the family Haemulidae

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