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Brassy grunt (Microlepidotus brevipinnis) — Haemulidae

Brassy grunt

Microlepidotus brevipinnis
Family: Haemulidae
LC · Least Concern

The Brassy grunt (Microlepidotus brevipinnis) is a saltwater fish of the family Haemulidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The brassy grunt is a grunt from the eastern Pacific, off the coast of Central America. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a deep, silvery body with fine golden longitudinal lines. Grunts owe their name to the grunting sound they make by rubbing their throat teeth. As a schooling fish it lives over rocky and sandy bottoms of shallow coastal water and hunts small crustaceans, worms and fish. It is a local food fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brassy grunt?

The Brassy grunt has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Brassy grunt live?

The Brassy grunt lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Brassy grunt get?

The Brassy grunt grows to a maximum of about 40 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Brassy grunt dangerous to humans?

No, the Brassy grunt is harmless to humans.

Is the Brassy grunt edible?

Yes, the Brassy grunt is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Geelstreep-grommer verified
English name
Brassy grunt verified
Scientific name
Microlepidotus brevipinnis
Family
Haemulidae
Other names
Humpback grunt; Shortfin grunt verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Handlijnen sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Microlepidotus

More from the family Haemulidae

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