Black-spotted Rubberlip (Plectorhinchus gaterinus)

Also known as African Grunt, Black-spotted Grunt, Black-spotted Sweetlips, Spotted Grunt, Spotted Sweetlips, Sweetlips

Description

Also known as African Grunt, Black-spotted Grunt, Black-spotted Sweetlips, Spotted Grunt, Spotted Sweetlips, Sweetlips.

Found in large schools, during the day under ledges and along coral slopes, dispersing at night hunting for food, over sand banks, of estuaries and coastal reefs.
They feed nocturnally on benthic crustaceans and invertebrates.
Length - 50cm
Depth - 3-55m
Widespread Western Indian Ocean

In some areas of the world 'Grunts' are better known as 'Sweetlips' distinguished from other species by their very large rubbery lips.
'Grunts'because they "grunt," the grunting sound is produced by their flat teeth plates rubbing together and this is amplified by their air bladders.
Found either singly or in schools hovering or motionless over the reef during the day, becoming nocturnal predators. Ref: https://www.fishbase.se/summary/7703

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