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Fus stick grunt (Haemulon macrostomum) — Haemulidae

Fus stick grunt

Haemulon macrostomum
Family: Haemulidae
LC · Least Concern

The Fus stick grunt (Haemulon macrostomum) is a saltwater fish of the family Haemulidae that grows up to 43 cm.

Length
43 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–25.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic and Caribbean; clear coral reefs.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Spanish grunt is a grunt (Haemulidae) from the western Atlantic and the Caribbean. The species has a silvery-grey body with yellowish lengthwise lines and a yellow back. It inhabits clear coral reefs, where it forms dense schools by day and owes its name to the grunting sound grunts make with their pharyngeal teeth. At night it hunts crustaceans and sea urchins. It is a food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Fus stick grunt?

The Fus stick grunt has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Yellow longitudinal lines and back; produces grunting sounds with its pharyngeal teeth; shoals above the reef during the day.

Where does the Fus stick grunt live?

The Fus stick grunt lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic and Caribbean; clear coral reefs.

How big does the Fus stick grunt get?

The Fus stick grunt grows to a maximum of about 43 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Fus stick grunt dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Fus stick grunt edible?

Yes, the Fus stick grunt is commonly eaten.

More photos

Fus stick grunt (Haemulon macrostomum) — Haemulidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) IHUNTA, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fus stick grunt (Haemulon macrostomum) — Haemulidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) turtleboy92, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fus stick grunt (Haemulon macrostomum) — Haemulidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Jstuby (CC0)
Fus stick grunt (Haemulon macrostomum) — Haemulidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Brian Hofstetter, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Fus stick grunt verified
Scientific name
Haemulon macrostomum
Family
Haemulidae
Other names
Gray grunt; Grunt; Spanish grunt; Striped grunt; Sow grunt; Streaked grunt; Thicklip grunt verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
43.0 verified
Average length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes 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
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic and Caribbean; clear coral reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Crustaceans and sea urchins sourced
Social behaviour
Large 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
Yellow longitudinal lines and back; produces grunting sounds with its pharyngeal teeth; shoals above the reef during the day. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. 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 Haemulon

More from the family Haemulidae

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