Rubberlip grunt (Plectorhinchus mediterraneus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Plectorhinchus mediterraneus
- Common name
- Rubberlip grunt
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Haemulidae
- Genus
- Plectorhinchus
- Size
- 30–82 cm
- Depth
- 0–100 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- schooling
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean
Description
Plectorhinchus mediterraneus reaches 82 cm. Tropical East Atlantic and Mediterranean haemulid. Adults with uniform silver-bronze body with fleshy prominent lips characteristic of sweetlips (circumtropical Plectorhinchus genus). Spectacular juveniles with black-white-yellow patterns in bands or spots, dramatically changing at adult age. Lives in loose schools or solitary from 0 to 100 m on rocky reefs of Cape Verdean, Moroccan, Senegalese coasts. Important commercial fishery. Iconic photo subject of Cape Verde dives, particularly spectacular juveniles.
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Rubberlip grunt?
- Rubberlip grunt (Plectorhinchus mediterraneus) reaches 30–82 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Rubberlip grunt?
- Rubberlip grunt is found between 0–100 m deep.
- Is the Rubberlip grunt dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Rubberlip grunt?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Rubberlip grunt?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean.
Other species in the genus Plectorhinchus
- Plectorhinchus vittatus - Oriental sweetlips
- Plectorhinchus macrolepis - Bigscale grunt
- Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides - Harlequin sweetlips
- Plectorhinchus gaterinus - Striped Sweetlips
- Plectorhinchus schotaf - Blackspotted Sweetlips
- Plectorhinchus albovittatus - Whiteline Sweetlips
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 126946)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2382763)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia