WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Pigfish

Orthopristis chrysoptera

Also known as: Cuban Grunt, Hogfish, Piggy Perch, Redmouth Grunt, Sailor's Choice, Sweetlips

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2015
Adult
@gdiaz · Key Largo, United States · August 20131 / 2
01

Overview

Found in schools, close to shelter during the day, dispersing at night, foraging for food, over mud, and sandy bottoms, of coastal waters
They feed nocturnally on benthic crustaceans and small fish.

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.

02

How to identify

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03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Atlantic, Caribbean
  • Exact location · 2
LIVES IN

Found in schools, close to shelter during the day, dispersing at night, foraging for food, over mud, and sandy bottoms, of coastal waters

04

Adult photos 2

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderEupercaria incertae sedis
    5. familyHaemulidae
    6. genusOrthopristis
    7. speciesOrthopristis chrysoptera (Linnaeus, 1766)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Grunts (Haemulidae)