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Sand grunt (Pomadasys branickii) — Haemulidae

Sand grunt

Pomadasys branickii
Family: Haemulidae

The Sand grunt (Pomadasys branickii) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Haemulidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The sand grunt is a grunt (Haemulidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species has an elongate, silvery body. Like other grunts it can make grunting sounds with its throat teeth and swim bladder. It lives near the bottom in shallow coastal waters and estuaries over sand and mud bottoms. As a bottom hunter it feeds on small crustaceans, worms and other bottom invertebrates. It is a local food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sand grunt?

The Sand grunt has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Sand grunt live?

The Sand grunt lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Sand grunt get?

The Sand grunt grows to a maximum of about 30 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Sand grunt dangerous to humans?

No, the Sand grunt is harmless to humans.

Is the Sand grunt edible?

Yes, the Sand grunt is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zandgrommer sourced
English name
Sand grunt sourced
Scientific name
Pomadasys branickii
Family
Haemulidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 sourced
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain 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
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Pomadasys

More from the family Haemulidae

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