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Caesar (Haemulon aurolineatum) — Haemulidae

Caesar

Haemulon aurolineatum
Family: Haemulidae
LC · Least Concern

The Caesar (Haemulon aurolineatum) is a saltwater fish of the family Haemulidae that grows up to 28 cm.

Length
28 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
30.0–70.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The tomtate grunt (Haemulon aurolineatum) is a grunt of the family Haemulidae from the western Atlantic. The species has a silvery body with a golden-yellow lateral stripe and usually a dark spot at the tail base, and reaches about 28 cm. It forms schools over seagrass beds, sand flats and coral formations. The diet consists of small crustaceans, mollusks, other benthic invertebrates, plankton and algae. Like other grunts the species makes grunting sounds with its pharyngeal teeth. It is marketed fresh and salted and is of local fishery importance.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Caesar?

The Caesar has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Caesar live?

The Caesar lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Caesar get?

The Caesar grows to a maximum of about 28 cm. On average the species is around 18 cm.

Is the Caesar dangerous to humans?

The Caesar is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

Is the Caesar edible?

The Caesar is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Tomtate-grommer sourced
English name
Caesar verified
Scientific name
Haemulon aurolineatum
Family
Haemulidae
Other names
Caesar; Gold-lined grunt; Redmouth grunt verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
28.0 verified
Average length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-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 spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
30.0 verified
Max depth (m)
70.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
9.0 sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous 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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