Home · Terapontidae · Grunter
Grunter (Terapon puta) — Terapontidae

Grunter

Terapon puta
Family: Terapontidae

The Grunter (Terapon puta) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Terapontidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
0.0–30.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The smallscaled terapon is a terapon or tigerperch (Terapontidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a silvery body with several dark, arched lengthwise stripes. It inhabits coastal waters and enters brackish estuaries and mangrove areas. With its swim bladder it can make grunting sounds. As an omnivore it feeds on small invertebrates, insects, algae and detritus. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Grunter?

The Grunter has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Grunter live?

The Grunter lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Grunter get?

The Grunter grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Grunter dangerous to humans?

No, the Grunter is harmless to humans.

Is the Grunter edible?

Yes, the Grunter is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kleinschub-terapon sourced
English name
Grunter verified
Scientific name
Terapon puta
Family
Terapontidae
Other names
Smallscale terapon; Small-scaled banded grunter; Small-scaled terapon verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) 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
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large 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 Terapon

More from the family Terapontidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →