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Black grunt (Haemulon carbonarium) — Haemulidae

Black grunt

Haemulon carbonarium
Family: Haemulidae
LC · Least Concern

The Black grunt (Haemulon carbonarium) is a saltwater fish of the family Haemulidae that grows up to 36 cm.

Length
36 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–25.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Caesar grunt is a grunt of the family Haemulidae from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 36 cm and has a greyish body with bronze-yellow longitudinal stripes and dark fins. It occurs on clear rocky and coral reefs and in mangroves, where by day it often gathers in schools. At night it disperses to forage on the bottom on crustaceans and other small invertebrates. Grunts owe their name to the grunting sound they make by grinding their pharyngeal teeth, amplified by the swim bladder. The species is a valued food fish and harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black grunt?

The Black grunt has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Black grunt live?

The Black grunt lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Black grunt get?

The Black grunt grows to a maximum of about 36 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Black grunt dangerous to humans?

No, the Black grunt is harmless to humans.

Is the Black grunt edible?

Yes, the Black grunt is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Caesar-grommer sourced
English name
Black grunt verified
Scientific name
Haemulon carbonarium
Family
Haemulidae
Other names
Black grunt; Blacktail; Blacktail grunt; Black-tail grunt verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
36.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Haemulon

More from the family Haemulidae

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