Home · Haemulidae · Elongate grunt
Elongate grunt (Haemulopsis elongatus) — Haemulidae

Elongate grunt

Haemulopsis elongatus
Family: Haemulidae
LC · Least Concern

The Elongate grunt (Haemulopsis elongatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Haemulidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; sand and mud bottoms of coastal waters.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Want the complete picture on the Elongate grunt?

Get the app

Description

The elongate grunt is a grunt (Haemulidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species has an elongate, silvery body and can make grunting sounds with its throat teeth and swim bladder. It lives near the bottom over sand and mud bottoms of coastal waters. As a bottom hunter it feeds on small crustaceans, worms and other bottom invertebrates. It is a local food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Elongate grunt?

The Elongate grunt has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Makes grunting sounds; bottom-dwelling grunt of sandy and muddy bottoms from Mazatlan to Panama.

Where does the Elongate grunt live?

The Elongate grunt lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific; sand and mud bottoms of coastal waters.

How big does the Elongate grunt get?

The Elongate grunt grows to a maximum of about 30 cm. On average the species is around 15 cm.

Is the Elongate grunt dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Elongate grunt edible?

Yes, the Elongate grunt is commonly eaten.

More photos

Elongate grunt (Haemulopsis elongatus) — Haemulidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Vince Golder, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Elongate grunt (Haemulopsis elongatus) — Haemulidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Ben Cantrell, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Elongate grunt (Haemulopsis elongatus) — Haemulidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Bradley Rasmussen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Elongate grunt (Haemulopsis elongatus) — Haemulidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Cristopher Rodríguez-Moreira, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Elongate grunt?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Elongate grunt is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Elongate grunt verified
Scientific name
Haemulopsis elongatus
Family
Haemulidae
Other names
Elongate grunt verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Average length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain 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
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; sand and mud bottoms of coastal waters. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans, worms and other benthic invertebrates 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
Makes grunting sounds; bottom-dwelling grunt of sandy and muddy bottoms from Mazatlan to Panama. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
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 Haemulopsis

More from the family Haemulidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Elongate grunt?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Elongate grunt is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Elongate grunt? Get the app