Smallmouth Grunt (Haemulon chrysargyreum)

Also known as Banana Grunt, Bronze Grunt, Dogfish, Smallmouth, Small-mouthed Grunt, Sweetlips, Yellowstripe Grunt

Description

Also known as Banana Grunt, Bronze Grunt, Dogfish, Smallmouth, Small-mouthed Grunt, Sweetlips, Yellowstripe Grunt.

Found in schools, during the day close to elkhorn and staghorn corals, dispersing at night hunting for food, over exposed areas, of coral and rocky reefs.
They feed on small crustaceans, molluscs, and plankton.
Juveniles found over seagrass beds.
Length - 24cm
Depth - 0-25m
Widespread Western Atlantic, Caribbean

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/1134

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