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Grey grunt (Haemulon scudderii) — Haemulidae

Grey grunt

Haemulon scudderii
Family: Haemulidae
LC · Least Concern

The Grey grunt (Haemulon scudderii) is a saltwater fish of the family Haemulidae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–40.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Rocky reefs of the eastern Pacific.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The grey grunt (Haemulon scudderii) is a grunt of the family Haemulidae from the eastern Pacific. The species has a deep, laterally compressed, silvery-grey body, often with a metallic sheen, and reaches about 35 cm. It forms schools over rocky, boulder-strewn reefs, slopes and hard bottoms with good water movement. The diet consists of small bottom invertebrates. Like other grunts the species makes grunting sounds by grinding its pharyngeal teeth, amplified by the swim bladder. It is a valued food fish that is fished commercially and marketed fresh.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Grey grunt?

The Grey grunt has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Silvery-grey schooling grunt with a metallic sheen; makes grunting sounds with its pharyngeal teeth.

Where does the Grey grunt live?

The Grey grunt lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Rocky reefs of the eastern Pacific.

How big does the Grey grunt get?

The Grey grunt grows to a maximum of about 35 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Grey grunt dangerous to humans?

No, the Grey grunt is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Grey grunt edible?

Yes, the Grey grunt is commonly eaten.

More photos

Grey grunt (Haemulon scudderii) — Haemulidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) pmk00001, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Grey grunt (Haemulon scudderii) — Haemulidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Alberto, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Grey grunt (Haemulon scudderii) — Haemulidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Julien Renoult (CC BY 4.0)
Grey grunt (Haemulon scudderii) — Haemulidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Alberto Alcalá (CC BY 4.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Grey grunt verified
Scientific name
Haemulon scudderii
Family
Haemulidae
Other names
Grunt; Mojarra grunt verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35.0 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-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 spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Natural range
Rocky reefs of the eastern Pacific. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling 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
Silvery-grey schooling grunt with a metallic sheen; makes grunting sounds with its pharyngeal teeth. 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
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

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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