Tomtate Grunt

Haemulon aurolineatum

Also known as: Caesar, Gold-lined Grunt, Redmouth Grunt, Sandy Goggle, Seize, Sweetlips, Toctoc, Tomtate, White Grunt, Yellow Tomtate, Yellow-lined Tomtate, Young Grunt

ALSO KNOWN AS

Caesar
Gold-lined Grunt
Redmouth Grunt
Sandy Goggle
Seize
Sweetlips
Toctoc
Tomtate
White Grunt
Yellow Tomtate
Yellow-lined Tomtate
Young Grunt

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2015

LIFE STAGE

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Tomtate Grunt adult, photographed at Clearwater Beach Pier 60, United States — @Brewhawk · Clearwater Beach Pier 60, United States · July 20171 / 4

Showing details for the adult stage. Switch stages to see how it differs.

Overview

Found in schools, close to shelter during the day, foraging for food at night, over sand flats, patch reefs, and seagrass beds, of coral and rocky reefs.

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.

How to identify

COLOURS

Pattern: black spot stripes yellow stripe
Behaviour: hovering makes sounds nocturnal schooling

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Habitat & where to find it

Where the adult stage lives, and where its photos were taken.

Range · Western Atlantic, Caribbean
Country only · 4

LIVES IN

Found in schools, close to shelter during the day, foraging for food at night, over sand flats, patch reefs, and seagrass beds, of coral and rocky reefs.

RANGE