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Cock grunter (Pomadasys multimaculatus) — Haemulidae

Cock grunter

Pomadasys multimaculatus
Family: Haemulidae

The Cock grunter (Pomadasys multimaculatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Haemulidae that grows up to 76 cm.

Length
76 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
20.0–50.0 m
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Cock grunter is a grunt (Haemulidae) from shallow coastal and estuarine water of the western Indian Ocean off southern Africa. The species grows to about 25 cm and has an elongate, silver-grey body, often with spots or stripes, and can make a grunting sound with its throat teeth. As a nocturnal fish it shelters by day above reef and searches at night over sand and mud for worms, small crustaceans and molluscs. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cock grunter?

The Cock grunter has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Cock grunter live?

The Cock grunter lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Cock grunter get?

The Cock grunter grows to a maximum of about 76 cm. On average the species is around 60 cm.

Is the Cock grunter dangerous to humans?

No, the Cock grunter is harmless to humans.

Is the Cock grunter edible?

Yes, the Cock grunter is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Veelvlek-knorvis sourced
English name
Cock grunter sourced
Scientific name
Pomadasys multimaculatus
Family
Haemulidae
Other names
Cock grunter; Grondeur selle; Grunter verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
76.0 verified
Average length (cm)
60.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Pomadasys

More from the family Haemulidae

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