Tomtate grunt (Haemulon aurolineatum)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Haemulon aurolineatum
- Common name
- Tomtate grunt
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Haemulidae
- Genus
- Haemulon
- Size
- 10–25 cm
- Depth
- 1–30 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef, sand
- Behaviours
- schooling, nocturnal
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Haemulon aurolineatum reaches 25 cm. Small silver grunt characterized by a thin median golden-yellow longitudinal band (hence aurolineatum, golden line) and distinctive black spot on caudal peduncle. Red mouth interior. Lives in dense schools from 1 to 30 m on coral reefs and sands of Caribbean and tropical western Atlantic. Listed LC. Often in mixed schools with other Haemulon, smaller. Common species but important trophic link.
Photo of Tomtate grunt
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Tomtate grunt?
- Tomtate grunt (Haemulon aurolineatum) reaches 10–25 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Tomtate grunt?
- Tomtate grunt is found between 1–30 m deep.
- Is the Tomtate grunt dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Tomtate grunt?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Tomtate grunt?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Haemulon
- Haemulon flavolineatum - French grunt
- Haemulon sciurus - Bluestriped grunt
- Haemulon plumierii - White grunt
- Haemulon parra - Sailor's choice
- Haemulon sexfasciatum - Sixbar Grunt
- Haemulon flaviguttatum - Yellowspot Grunt
Other species in the family Haemulidae
- Anisotremus virginicus - Porkfish
- Anisotremus surinamensis - Black margate
- Plectorhinchus vittatus - Oriental sweetlips
- Parapristipoma octolineatum - African striped grunt
- Pomadasys incisus - Bastard grunt
- Pomadasys rogerii - Pigsnout grunt
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 158807)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2382528)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia