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Wavyline grunt (Microlepidotus inornatus) — Haemulidae

Wavyline grunt

Microlepidotus inornatus
Family: Haemulidae
LC · Least Concern

The Wavyline grunt (Microlepidotus inornatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Haemulidae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; reefs and open water.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The wavyline grunt is a grunt (Haemulidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species has an elongate, silvery body with fine, wavy lengthwise lines. Grunts make a grunting sound with their throat teeth, amplified by the swim bladder. By day it forms large schools that slowly move to the borders of reefs; at nightfall the schools disperse to deeper, open water to forage on benthic invertebrates. It is a local food fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Wavyline grunt?

The Wavyline grunt has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Fine wavy longitudinal lines; shoals near reefs during the day and forages at night in open water.

Where does the Wavyline grunt live?

The Wavyline grunt lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Eastern Pacific; reefs and open water.

How big does the Wavyline grunt get?

The Wavyline grunt grows to a maximum of about 45 cm.

Is the Wavyline grunt dangerous to humans?

No, the Wavyline grunt is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Wavyline grunt edible?

Yes, the Wavyline grunt is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Wavyline grunt verified
Scientific name
Microlepidotus inornatus
Family
Haemulidae
Other names
Wavyline grunt verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
45.0 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 fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; reefs and open water. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Benthic invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups 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
Fine wavy longitudinal lines; shoals near reefs during the day and forages at night in open water. 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
None required: this species is harmless to humans. 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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