Home · Haemulidae · Sompat grunter
Sompat grunter (Pomadasys jubelini) — Haemulidae

Sompat grunter

Pomadasys jubelini
Family: Haemulidae
LC · Least Concern

The Sompat grunter (Pomadasys jubelini) is a saltwater fish of the family Haemulidae that grows up to 60 cm.

Length
60 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–100.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Highly prized

Description

The sompat grunter is a silvery fish of the family Haemulidae (grunts) reaching about 60 cm. The laterally compressed body bears fine dark spots on the flank and has yellowish fins; like other grunts it can make a grunting sound with its throat teeth, amplified by the swim bladder, from which the family takes its name. The species lives in schools over sand and mud bottoms of coastal water along the West African coast, also in brackish estuaries and lagoons. Mainly at night it hunts worms, crustaceans, molluscs and small fish. The sompat grunter is a valued commercial and sport fish in West Africa.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sompat grunter?

The Sompat grunter has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Sompat grunter live?

The Sompat grunter lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Sompat grunter get?

The Sompat grunter grows to a maximum of about 60 cm. On average the species is around 45 cm.

Is the Sompat grunter dangerous to humans?

No, the Sompat grunter is harmless to humans.

Is the Sompat grunter edible?

Yes, the Sompat grunter is a highly prized food fish.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sompat-grommer inferred
English name
Sompat grunter verified
Scientific name
Pomadasys jubelini
Family
Haemulidae
Other names
Atlantic spotted grunter; Buro; Grunter; Sompat grunt verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized verified
Fishing method
Hengelen met zeepier, garnaal of stukje vis op de bodem in kustwater; een gewaardeerde vangst in West-Afrika sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

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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