Common name: White grunt
General information
The White Grunt, scientifically known as Haemulon plumierii, is a popular marine fish among aquarists due to its striking appearance and peaceful demeanor. It is characterized by its silver-gray body with horizontal yellow stripes and a distinct black blotch on its preopercle. This species is a member of the Haemulidae family, commonly referred to as grunts because of the grunting sound they produce by grinding their teeth together, which is amplified by their air bladders.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 300 liter (79 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 22 to 28 °C (72 to 82 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 7.8 to 8.4
- Average size
- 45 cm (1′6″)
- Care level
- Moderate to easy Requires hiding spots and open swimming
- Diet
- Omnivore Varied diet of meaty foods and veggies
- Social
- School Best in groups, can be territorial if solo
- Reefsafe
- No May nip at small inverts and some corals
- Aggression
- Semi aggresive Territorial, especially in smaller tanks
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerch-like FishesPerciformes
- FamilyGruntsHaemulidae
- GenusGruntsHaemulon
- SpeciesWhite gruntHaemulon plumierii (Lacepède, 1801)
- SynonymsLabrus plumierii Lacepède, 1801
Care
White Grunts are relatively hardy fish that can adapt to life in captivity. They require a spacious tank with plenty of swimming room and hiding places, as they can grow up to 18 inches in length. A varied diet of meaty foods such as shrimp, squid, and fish flesh, supplemented with high-quality marine pellets, will help maintain their health and coloration.
Reproduction
In the wild, White Grunts are known to form large spawning aggregations. However, breeding them in the home aquarium is quite challenging and rarely achieved. They are pelagic spawners, releasing eggs and sperm into the water column where fertilization occurs.
Habitat
White Grunts are commonly found in the Western Atlantic, from South Carolina to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. They inhabit reef environments, often seen over sandy bottoms or seagrass beds, and can be found at depths ranging from shallow waters to about 30 meters.