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Pigsnout grunt (Pomadasys rogerii) — Haemulidae

Pigsnout grunt

Pomadasys rogerii
Family: Haemulidae
LC · Least Concern

The Pigsnout grunt (Pomadasys rogerii) is a brackish-water fish of the family Haemulidae that grows up to 60 cm.

Length
60 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
25.0–90.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Highly prized

Description

The pigsnout grunt is a silvery grunt of the family Haemulidae (grunts) reaching about 60 cm. The laterally compressed, silvery-grey body stands out for a pointed, somewhat pig-like snout and bears strong spines in the dorsal fin. Like other grunts it can make a grunting sound with its throat teeth and swim bladder. The species forms schools over sand and mud bottoms of coastal water and estuaries along the West African coast and tolerates brackish water; young fish grow up in the sheltered estuaries. On and above the bottom it searches, mainly at night, for worms, crustaceans, molluscs and small fish. With its tasty flesh it is a valued fish for the coastal fishery.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pigsnout grunt?

The Pigsnout grunt has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Pigsnout grunt live?

The Pigsnout grunt lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Pigsnout grunt get?

The Pigsnout grunt grows to a maximum of about 60 cm. On average the species is around 45 cm.

Is the Pigsnout grunt dangerous to humans?

No, the Pigsnout grunt is harmless to humans.

Is the Pigsnout grunt edible?

Yes, the Pigsnout grunt is a highly prized food fish.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Spitssnuit-grommer inferred
English name
Pigsnout grunt verified
Scientific name
Pomadasys rogerii
Family
Haemulidae
Other names
Pigsnout grunt verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
60.0 verified
Average length (cm)
45.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish verified
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom verified
Min depth (m)
25.0 verified
Max depth (m)
90.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized verified
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met zeepier of garnaal in kust- en estuariumwater; een gewaardeerde vangst sourced
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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