African striped grunt (Parapristipoma octolineatum)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Parapristipoma octolineatum
- Common name
- African striped grunt
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Haemulidae
- Genus
- Parapristipoma
- Size
- 25–50 cm
- Depth
- 5–50 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- schooling
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean
Description
Parapristipoma octolineatum reaches 50 cm. Silver haemulid with 8 distinctive horizontal golden lines (hence octolineatum), white belly, black opercular spot. Forms large dense schools on rocky drop-offs from 5 to 50 m. Distribution West African coasts and Macaronesia (Canaries, Cape Verde). Benthic predator of small invertebrates. Nocturnal, tight schools during day under drop-offs. Privileged photo subject in Canaries, recalls Lutjanidae schools but in warm-temperate Atlantic waters.
Photo of African striped grunt
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the African striped grunt?
- African striped grunt (Parapristipoma octolineatum) reaches 25–50 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the African striped grunt?
- African striped grunt is found between 5–50 m deep.
- Is the African striped grunt dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the African striped grunt?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the African striped grunt?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean.
Other species in the family Haemulidae
- Haemulon flavolineatum - French grunt
- Haemulon sciurus - Bluestriped grunt
- Haemulon plumierii - White grunt
- Haemulon parra - Sailor's choice
- Haemulon aurolineatum - Tomtate grunt
- Anisotremus virginicus - Porkfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 126945)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2382486)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia