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Bluestriped grunt

Haemulon sciurus

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Species Type:

Fishes

Common Name(s):

Bluestriped grunt

Size:

On average, the blue striped grunt grows to 12-14 inches (30.5 - 35.5 cm).

Diet:

These fish eat crustaceans like shrimp and crab, mussels and various smaller fishes found in seagrass and mangrove habitats.

Range & Habitat:

This fish exists in the western Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. They inhabit mangroves, rocky areas, seagrass meadows and coral reefs.

Details:

Bluestriped grunts are bright yellow with neon blue stripes from head to tail. Their tails and dorsal fins are yellow with darker edges. They get their name from the grunting sound they make by rubbing their pharyngeal teeth together, with their swim bladder amplifying the noise. This helps them fend off predators and communicate with other fish, including establishing dominance.