French Grunt

Haemulon flavolineatum

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Max Size

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Max Weight

—

Max Depth

60 m

Description

Haemulon flavolineatum is a species of grunt native to the western Atlantic Ocean from South Carolina and Bermuda to Brazil as well as the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.

Description

Their bodies are yellow with horizontal silver stripes running the length of, and diagonally-oriented stripes below the lateral line of their bodies. All of the fins are yellow. This species can reach a length of 30 centimetres (12 in) TL though most do not exceed 17 centimetres (6.7 in).

Habitat

The French grunt travels in schools among coral and rocky reefs where it occurs at depths of from 0 to 60 metres (0 to 197 ft). This species is important to local commercial fisheries and are popular in public aquariums. French grunts feed on invertebrates, such as krill. They tend to hunt in schools around sunset. After they finish feeding they return to the grass beds that they call their homes.

The sounds they make when grinding their teeth earned them their common name. They use their swim bladders to amplify this sound.

Parasites

• Gnathia marleyi, a small crustacean

Where to Find

Honduras East Costa Rica Cuba West Panama East USA East +37 more in Seabook

Colors

silver

yellow

Poisonous

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Habitat and Environment

Coral reef

Social Behaviour

Group

Solitary

Conservation status

(LC) Least concern

Edible

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Similar Species

Barred Javelinfish Black Margate Blue Striped Grunt Boga Burrito Grunt Cottonwick

Frequently Asked Questions

Is French Grunt dangerous?

French Grunt is classified as: Risk of ciguatera poisoning. Always exercise caution and keep a safe distance.

Where can you find French Grunt?

French Grunt can be found in: Honduras East, Costa Rica, Cuba West, Panama East, USA East, Mexico South East, USA South East, Costa Rica East, Atlantic Ocean West, Venezuela, Belize, Yucatan, Cancun, Lesser Antilles, Mexico East, Cuba East, Colombia North, Nicaragua East, Guatemala East, Bermuda, Caribbean Sea, Trinidad & Tobago, Gulf of Mexico, Dominican Republic, USA, Atlantic Ocean, Honduras, Cuba, Mexico, Brazil, Jamaica, French Guiana, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Haiti, Bahamas, Panama, Colombia, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Virgin Islands (U.S.), Virgin Islands (U.K.).

How deep does French Grunt live?

French Grunt can be found at depths of up to 60 meters.