Teleostei (teleosts) >
Eupercaria/misc (Various families in series Eupercaria) >
Haemulidae (Grunts) > Haemulinae
Etymology: Haemulon: Greek, haimaleos = bloody (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Gill.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 30 m (Ref. 5227), usually 10 - 12 m (Ref. 5227). Tropical; 28°N - 7°N
Eastern Central Pacific: Gulf of California to Panama.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 71.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 55763); common length : 30.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 55763); max. published weight: 2.3 kg (Ref. 40926)
Body oblong, compressed and not very deep (depth contained 2.9 to 3.3 times in standard length ); mouth large and terminal, its posterior end located under the anterior rim of the eye; first gill arch with 18 to 22 gill rakers; dorsal fin notched, with 11 to 12 spines and 16 to 18 soft rays (XI-XII, 16-18); second anal spine slightly longer and stronger than third; scale series above lateral line oblique; juveniles with 3 vertical bars and a caudal spot that disappears with age; adults with 6 or 7 dark gray vertical bars on a yellowish body; head with a dark spot behind the eye (Ref. 55763).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal.
Forms schools in coastal reefs during the day but disperses at night in search for food. Often feed by digging in sand (Ref. 5227).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).
McKay, R.J. and M. Schneider, 1995. Haemulidae. Burros, corocoros, chulas, gallinazos, roncos. p. 1136-1173. In W. Fischer, F. Krupp, W. Schneider, C. Sommer, K.E. Carpenter and V. Niem (eds.) Guia FAO para Identification de Especies para lo Fines de la Pesca. Pacifico Centro-Oriental. 3 Vols. FAO, Rome. (Ref. 9114)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
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